NHER 65834 (Monument record) - Post-medieval tile kilns and other remains

May 2020-January 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Area F075).
This survey identified a number of potentially archaeologically-significant discrete anomalies at the western end of the site, all of which are interpreted as representing possible kiln-type features or areas of burning. A single north-west to south-east aligned linear anomaly corresponds with a former field boundary depicted on the Knapton tithe map (S1).
A number of scattered discrete dipolar anomalies are likely to represent ferrous objects on or close to the surface (most likely modern debris). The remaining discrete anomalies are all of probable geological origin.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 14 October 2024.

October 2020-June 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Area F075; Trenches 541-543).
Two of the three trenches excavated at this location were positioned to target the group of discrete anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey. The two largest anomalies were shown to correspond with the remains of post-medieval tile kilns. Both of these rectangular structures had external brick walls and a series of parallel internal brick walls. The exact age of these kilns is uncertain at present. A brick of late medieval/early post-medieval date was retrieved from one structure but the other incorporated bricks of predominantly 18th-century or later date. Other features uncovered in this part of the site included several probable quarry pits (at least one of which coincided with a geophysical anomaly) and two possible ditches – the majority of which were not excavated. A possible and an adjacent pit that were investigated both contained post-medieval finds and tile fragments of uncertain date. The single trench excavated to the east of these remains uncovered a north-north-east to south-south-west aligned ditch and a large probable quarry pit. The latter produced a single fragment of undatable ceramic building material.
No unstratified finds were recovered.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 14 October 2024.