NHER 5367 (Monument record) - Site of Roman temple, Sawbench Wood

The Norfolk Heritage Explorer is a filtered version of the Norfolk HER intended for casual research. Please contact us to consult the full record.

Summary

In 1962 the remains of a Roman temple were found in Sawbench Wood. The site was excavated in 1962, revealing a complex of narrow ditches and timber framed buildings with chalk floors. Roman coins, mounts, fragments of priests head-dresses, a votive letter, and urned cremations below a deposit of red deer antler were found on the site.

Protected Status/Designation

None recorded

Location

Map sheet	TL68NE
Civil Parish	HOCKWOLD CUM WILTON, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

Find a placename, postcode or grid reference

Map layers

Base layers

Info

Record list

Tools

Full Description

1962. Excavated from Roman temple site.
Tip of copper alloy spearhead.
Donated to NCM by [1].
A.K. Gregory (NAU), 1974.

1962. In wood northwest of Blackdyke Farm, 'Sawbench site'.
Area defined by narrow ditches noted by [1] who excavated part of it in early 1962.
Further excavations for NCM July 1962.
Complex of ditches, floors and timber from structures, probably a Roman temple. Finds range from late 1st to late 4th centuries. Numerous coins especially about 270 to 350.
(S1) of copper alloy objects (S4), animal bones, tiles from [1].
Sketches of Roman vessels (S5, S6, S7 and S8)
See file for details.
R.R. Clarke (NCM)

Ordnance Survey description, a good summary, in file.
Information from (S2).
R.J. Rickett (NAU) 28 March 1990.

Best summary of site is by D. Gurney (NLA) in file, see (S3), outlining full sequence of excavations and finds (more detailed than above) and including fact that detecting of site 1962 was the first recorded use of detector in Norfolk.
E. Rose (NLA) 26 September 1995.

Associated Sources (17)

--- SNF2354 Article in Serial: 1963. [unknown]. Journal of Roman Studies. Vol 53, pp 138, 160.
--- SNF2378 Article in Serial: 1966. Archaeological Discoveries in Norfolk [1965]. Norfolk Research Committee Bulletin. Series 1 No 16 pp 9-14. p 12.
--- SNF2390 Article in Serial: 1967. [unknown]. Journal of Roman Studies. Vol 57, p 241.
--- SNF6800 Monograph: Lewis, M.J.T.. 1965. Temples in Roman Britain.. pp 1-53.
--- SNF87258 Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Bronze Age. Hockwold-cum-Wilton.
--- SNF87260 Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Roman. Hockwold Cum Wilton.
--- SNF57722 Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
--- SNF8804 Secondary File: Secondary File.
--- SNF61835 Unpublished Document: 1962/3. Exacavation notes and plan.
<S1> SNF10264 Photograph: NCM.
<S2> SNF94190 Record Card: Ordnance Survey Records / Pastscape.
<S3> SNF61834 Unpublished Document: Gurney, D.. 1995. A Romano-Celtic Temple Site at Sawbench, Hockwold-cum-Wilton, Norfolk.
<S4> SNF91531 Illustration: Unknown. Unknown. Drawing of a Roman spoon.. Paper. 1:1.
<S5> SNF80809 Illustration: Unknown. 1962. Sketches of two Roman vessel fragments.. Paper. 1:1.
<S6> SNF91528 Illustration: Unknown. 1962. Sketches of a Roman vessel fragment.. Paper. 1:1.
<S7> SNF91529 Illustration: Unknown. 1962. Sketches of Roman vessel fragments.. Paper. 1:1.
<S8> SNF91530 Illustration: Unknown. 1962. Sketches of two Roman vessel fragments.. Paper. 1:1.

Site and Feature Types and Periods (9)

Object Types (14)

SPEAR (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
ANIMAL REMAINS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
ANIMAL REMAINS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
CEREMONIAL OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
CROWN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FIGURINE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
PLAQUE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
RING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
SPOON (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
TILE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
WORKED OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Find out more...(2)

Record last edited

Apr 23 2020 2:29PM