Archaeological Test Pit Excavations in Bunwell, Norfolk in 2018

Archaeological test pit excavations in Bunwell, Norfolk in 2018

Catherine Collins

2019

Access Cambridge Archaeology Department of Archaeology University of Cambridge Downing Street Cambridge CB2 3ER

01223 761519

[email protected]

http://www.access.arch.cam.ac.uk/

1 Introduction

A total of 10 1m2 archaeological test pits were excavated over a single two-day test pitting event in May 2018, in the village of Bunwell in south Norfolk, as part of the Independent Learning Archaeology Field School (ILAFS) and run by Access Cambridge Archaeology (ACA) out of the University of Cambridge.

Bunwell is a large parish that includes the hamlets of Bunwell Hill, Bunwell Street, Low Common, Great Green and Little Green, just over 7km east of Attleborough and 18.6km southwest of Norwich. The long linear settlement along Bunwell Street is the largest of all these areas, set in flat open countryside, whereas the hamlets of Bunwell Hill and Low Common, set further to the south, are sited along the valley of the River Tas. The B1113 runs through the centre of the parish, connecting New Buckingham to Norwich, close to which sits the 15th century church of St Michael and All Angels'.

The name Bunwell derives from Old English and was recorded as Bunewell in 1198 that likely means 'spring or stream where reeds grow'. The settlement was not recorded in the Domesday Book although evidence for Anglo-Saxon occupation has already been recorded from the parish.

1.1 Access Cambridge Archaeology

Access Cambridge Archaeology (ACA) (http://www.access.arch.cam.ac.uk/) is an archaeological outreach organisation based in the Department of Archaeology in the University of Cambridge, which aims to enhance economic, social and personal well-being through active engagement with archaeology. It was set up in 2004 and specialises in providing opportunities for members of the public to take part in purposeful, research- orientated archaeological investigations including excavation. Educational events and courses range in length from a few hours to a week or more and involve members of the public of all ages.

Since 2015, ACA has been managed by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) and thus have been able to work more closely with the unit to deliver outreach programmes such as the community excavations at Peterborough Cathedral in 2016, community test pitting activities in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The ACA and CAU collaboration has also enabled the continuation of the education outreach projects that involve work with both primary and secondary school pupils.

1.2 The Independent Learning Archaeology Field School (ILAFS)

The Independent Learning Archaeology Field School (ILAFS) programme, formerly known as the Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA) programme, aims to raise the aspirations, enthusiasm and attainment of 14-17 year-olds with regard to higher education by making a valuable contribution to current academic research at the University of Cambridge. The three- day learning-extension course has been run by Access Cambridge Archaeology (ACA) since 2005, aimed at UK students in state schools years 9, 10 and 12.

On ILAFS, participants spend two days running their own small (1m2) archaeological excavation within living villages, with the aim of applying and developing a wide range of learning skills, boosting their academic confidence and giving them a taste of life and learning at university level. They make new discoveries for and about themselves, and, in the process, contribute to the university's currently occupied rural settlement (CORS) research into the development of rural communities and settlements in the past. The third day is spent in the University of Cambridge analysing the excavation results in discursive learning sessions which aim to engage and challenge participants, prepare them to produce a written analysis for assessment as well as provide an inspirational and positive experience of higher education. After the field school, learners receive detailed individual feedback on their data collection, personal, learning and thinking skills developed during the fieldwork as well as their reporting and research skills exhibited in the written assignment, which will support applications to further and higher education.

2 Methodology

The one year of test pitting in Bunwell was organised by ACA in conjunction with the Bunwell Heritage Group. The excavation and records followed the Independent Learning Archaeology Field School (ILAFS), instruction handbook and recording booklet.

The test pit digging takes place over two days, which begins with an initial talk explaining the aims of the excavation, the procedures used in digging and recording the test pit and the correct and safe use of equipment. Participants are then divided into teams of three or four individuals, and each team is provided with a complete set of test pit excavation equipment, copies of the instruction handbook and a record booklet to enter excavation data into.

The test pits were all 1m2 and the turf, if present, was removed in neat squares by hand. Each test pit was excavated in a series of 10cm spits or contexts, to a maximum depth of 1.2m. The horizontal surface of each context/spit was then drawn at 1:10 scale before excavation, a photograph taken and the colour of the soil recorded with reference to a standardised colour chart. A pro-forma recording system was used by participants to record their test pit excavation. This comprised a 16-page Test Pit Record booklet which was developed by ACA for use by people with no previous archaeological experience. Each pit and context is described and noted using the site code BUN/18.

During the excavation, 100% of the spoil is sieved through a 10mm mesh (with the occasional exception of very heavy clay soils which have to be hand-searched). All artefacts are retained, cleaned and bagged by context. Cut and built features are planned at 1:10 and excavated sequentially with latest deposits removed first. Pottery and most other finds are identified promptly by archaeological experts on site who visit the test pits regularly providing advice and checking that the excavation is being carried out and recorded to the required standard. Test pits are excavated down to natural or the maximum safe depth of 1.2m, whichever is encountered first. A minority of test pits will stop on encountering a feature, (ancient or modern) which archaeological staff deem inadvisable or impossible to remove, and occasionally excavation may cease at a level above natural due to time constraints. On completion of each test pit excavation, all four sections are drawn at 1:10 along with the unexcavated base of the test pit prior to backfilling by hand and the turf replaced neatly to restore the site.

After the two days of excavation are completed, the archaeological records and finds (all of which are kept and cleaned on site) are retained by ACA at the University of Cambridge for analysis, reporting, archiving and submission to HER’s, publication and ongoing research into the origins and development of rural settlement. Ownership of objects rests in the first instance with the landowner, except where other law overrides this (e.g. Treasure Act 1996, 2006, Burials Act 1857). ACA retain all finds in the short term for analysis and ideally also in the longer term in order that the excavation archives will be as complete as possible, but any requests to return finds to owners will be agreed.

3 Results from the test pitting in Bunwell

The approximate locations of the test pits excavated in Bunwell can be seen in figure 1 below (please note that the test pits are not to scale). The excavations were undertaken over the 23rd and 24th of May, when a total of 10 1m2 archaeological test pits were excavated 40 Year 9 and Year 10 pupils from Thetford Academy, Old Buckenham High School and Hobart High School (school names correct at time of participation).

The test pits were excavated as part of the Independent Learning Archaeology Field School (ILAFS), run by ACA and funded by Cambridge Admissions Office out of the University of Cambridge. The excavations were directed by Catherine Collins, with onsite supervision provided by Emily Ryley and John Newman, and additional support from Emma Brownlee. Paul Blinkhorn analysed the pottery. The test pits were mainly sited around two areas, Great Green and the church to the southwest, alongside the B1113. The test pit sites were found by David Neale and Peter Day of the Bunwell Heritage Group.

The data from each test pit is discussed in this section and set out in numerical order and by year. Most excavation was in spits measuring 10cm in depth, but in cases when a change in the character of deposits indicated a change in context, a new spit was started before 10cm.

Figure 1: Location map of all the Bunwell test pits (NB test pits not to scale) © Crown Copyright/database right 2019. An Ordnance Survey/EDINA supplied service 1: 10,000

Test Pit one (BUN/18/1)

Test pit one was excavated in the large enclosed rear garden of a Grade II listed 18th century former public house set along the main road just to the east of the church. It was also the southern of two pits excavated here; see also BUN/18/2 (The Old Queens Head, The Turnpike, Bunwell. TM 12641 92759).

Test pit one was excavated to a depth of 0.7m at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was Figure 2: Location map of BUN/18/1 recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from BUN/18/1 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, although a single small sherd of 17th century Staffordshire Manganese Ware was also recorded from context six.

SMW VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 1 2 1 4 1800-1900 1 4 9 101 1800-1900 1 5 29 132 1800-1900 1 6 1 1 3 7 1680-1900 1 7 22 86 1800-1900 Table 1: The pottery excavated from BUN/18/1

The vast majority of the finds excavated from BUN/18/1 date to after the current structure was built and when it was in use as a pub and also show that there has been a great deal of disturbance evident on site. This part of the garden may have been used for the disposal of domestic rubbish from the pub until the 20th century, particularly given the range of finds that were excavated through the depth of the test pit. These included fragments of ceramic building material (CBM), mortar, glass, strips of plastic, coal, modern screws, iron nails, battery cores, a fragment of sewer drain, pieces of scrap metal and chain links with oyster shell, a metal hoop, a metal spring, slag and pieces of linoleum. An additional six pieces of burnt stone were also recorded that may be of a later prehistoric date, although analysis of the lithics will be needed to prove this.

Test Pit two (BUN/18/2)

Test pit two was ecavated in the large enclosed rear garden of a Grade II listed 18th century former public house set along the main road just to the east of the church. It was also the northern of two pits excavated here; see also BUN/18/1 (The Old Queens Head, The Turnpike, Bunwell. TM 12637 92783).

Test pit two was excavated to a depth of 0.61m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit Figure 3: Location map of BUN/18/2 was recorded and backfilled.

A range of mid-16th century and later pottery wares were excavated from BUN/18/2 that have been identified as Border Ware, Glazed Red Earthenware, German Stoneware, English Stoneware, Creamware and 19th century ‘Victorian’ Wares.

BW GRE GS EST CRM VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 2 1 10 33 1800-1900 2 2 3 32 3 7 1550-1900 2 3 6 52 3 7 4 23 1550-1900 2 4 1 1 1 10 2 2 1550-1800 2 5 4 33 2 5 2 6 1550-1900 2 6 1 5 1 4 1 3 2 26 1550-1900 Table 2: The pottery excavated from BUN/18/2

The results from BUN/18/2 are similar to those excavated from BUN/18/1 just to the south with a lot of disturbances during the 19th century and later, when the building was utilised as a pub, this back area of garden, adjacent to the church was used as an area to dump rubbish. However, unlike BUN/18/1, there was more in the way of activity through the post medieval, from the mid-16th century onwards, likely relating to an earlier structure, pre-dating the pub, adjacent to the 15th century St Michael’s church. The finds recorded consist of animal bone, CBM, clay pipe, glass, coal, and pieces of scrap metal, nails (some of which were handmade), a fragment of possible Bakelite, asbestos, mortar, a metal button and tile. Five pieces of burnt stone and three pieces of probable worked flint were also recorded from test pit two, suggestive of later prehistoric activity, although analysis of the lithics would be needed to prove this.

Test Pit three (BUN/18/3)

Test pit three was excavated in the large open rear garden of a Grade II listed early 17th century cottage set back from the road in Great Green. It was also the southern of two pits excavated here; see also BUN/18/4 (Lilac Farm, 128 Bunwell Street, Bunwell. TM 11944 93645).

Test pit three was excavated to a depth of 0.6m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A small amount of pottery was Figure 4: Location map of BUN/18/3 only excavated from BUN/18/3 that was identified as two sherds of post medieval Glazed Red Earthenware and four 19th century ‘Victorian’ sherds, found through the upper two contexts only.

GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 3 1 1 2 2 2 1550-1900 3 2 1 3 2 4 1550-1900 Table 3: The pottery excavated from BUN/18/3

The finds from BUN/18/3 suggest that there was little activity on site until the 17th century, when the current house was built. The land outside the house had been disturbed down to the natural with oyster shell, window glass and roof tile found in the lowest context of the test pit. The rest of the finds consist of asbestos, mortar, coal, modern CBM, animal bone, bottle glass, a handmade nail, slag, possible metal window lining, scrap metal and a World War II fired shell casing, found in context four. An additional two pieces of worked flint were also recorded with four burnt stones that are likely to be of a later prehistoric date, although analysis of the lithics is needed to confirm this.

Test Pit four (BUN/18/4)

Test pit four was excavated in the large open front garden of a Grade II listed early 17th century cottage set back from the road in Great Green. It was also the northern of two pits excavated here; see also BUN/18/3 (Lilac Farm, 128 Bunwell Street, Bunwell. TM 11949 93671).

Test pit four was excavated to a depth of 0.6m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

Figure 5: Location map of BUN/18/4 A number of sherds of pottery were only found from context three of BUN/18/4 and have been identified as Late Medieval Ware, Glazed Red Earthenware and a single sherd of 19th century ‘Victorian’ ware.

LMT GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 4 3 1 2 2 28 1 3 1400-1900 Table 4: The pottery excavated from BUN/18/4

Much like the results of BUN/18/3 just to the south, the excavation of BUN/18/4 has yielded mainly post medieval finds, relating to after the construction of the house during the 17th century, although these were very few in number, consisting of animal bone, CBM and glass, all of which derived from context three with the pottery. The presence of later medieval pottery, also hints at earlier activity on site, perhaps an earlier structure alongside the road or that this land was utilised for agriculture prior to the construction of Lilac Farm, perhaps marginal to medieval settlement around Great Green. A single worked flint and two pieces of burnt stone were also recorded from the other contexts and hint at the presence of later prehistoric activity on site, although analysis of the lithics is needed to confirm this.

Test Pit five (BUN/18/5)

Test pit five was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a Grade II listed 17th century cottage set to the north of Great Green. It was also the eastern of two pits excavated here; see also BUN/18/6 (The Cottage, Rectory Lane, Bunwell. TM 12049 93821).

Test pit five was excavated to a depth of 0.4m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at Figure 6: Location map of BUN/18/5 this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The majority of the pottery excavated from BUN/18/5 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, although single sherds of Late Medieval Ware, Glazed Red Earthenware and German Stoneware were also all recorded from context two.

LMT GRE GS VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 5 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1400-1900 5 3 3 7 1800-1900 5 4 1 1 1800-1900 5 5 1 2 1800-1900 Table 5: The pottery excavated from BUN/18/5

This property was previously known as Mill Cottage as a windmill was originally sited in the field to the south (NHER 15968) and although nothing remains today it is believed to be post medieval in origin, perhaps even contemporary with this house. A small number of finds were actually recorded from BUN/18/5, hinting that there has not been much in the way of disturbances across this part of the garden, most of the activity here dating from the 19th century and later. The finds excavated consist of clay pipe, CBM, coal, a plastic screw cap, iron nails (one of which was handmade), bottle glass, foil, and melted plastic and animal bone. The presence of imported pottery (German Stoneware) suggests that the original occupants of the house had access to a market with international connections and the small sherd of later medieval pottery that was also recorded, most likely derives from manuring of the fields, meaning that this area was probably agricultural during the 15th century and marginal to the potential medieval original settlement at Great Green. A single possible worked flint was also recorded from context two that may hint at the presence of later prehistoric activity on site, although analysis of the lithics would be needed to prove this.

Test Pit six (BUN/18/6)

Test pit six was excavated enclosed front garden of a Grade II listed 17th century cottage set to the north of Great Green. It was also the western of two pits excavated here; see also BUN/18/5 (The Cottage, Rectory Lane, Bunwell. TM 12011 93824).

Test pit six was excavated to a depth of 0.4m, at which natural was found. Excavations Figure 7: Location map of BUN/18/6 were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A small amount of pottery was excavated from BUN/18/6, the majority of which dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, although an additional three sherds of post medieval Glazed Red Earthenware were also recorded from context three.

GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 6 2 7 21 1800-1900 6 3 3 11 2 16 1550-1900 Table 6: The pottery excavated from BUN/18/6

The finds from BUN/18/6 are similar to those recorded in the back garden of the property at BUN/18/5 where the activity on site dates to after the construction of the current house during the 17th century with a peak of activity noted through the 19th century and later. The finds excavated consist of CBM, animal bone, handmade nails, a One Penny coin dated 1980, a metal tube fragment, coal, shell, glass and a small piece of slag, suggestive of metal working on or close to site. Five pieces of possible worked flint were also recovered and like test pit five, suggest the presence of later prehistoric activity in the area.

Test Pit seven (BUN/18/7)

Test pit seven was excavated in the enclosed front garden of a probable 17th or 18th century cottage set to the north of Great Green. It was also the southern of two pits excavated here; see also BUN/18/8 (Old Rectory Farm, Rectory Lane, Bunwell. TM 12010 93873).

Test pit seven was excavated to a depth of between 0.36m and 0.49m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A range of 15th century and later pottery wares were excavated from BUN/18/7 that have been identified as Late Medieval Ware, Glazed Red Earthenware, Delft Ware and Staffordshire Slipware. A large amount Figure 8: Location map of BUN/18/7 of 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares were also recorded through the depth of the test pit.

LMT GRE DW SS VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 7 1 2 5 1800-1900 7 2 1 5 1 1 1 3 16 28 1400-1900 7 3 1 3 10 25 1650-1900 7 4 2 16 9 14 1550-1900 7 5 1 1 1800-1900 Table 7: The pottery excavated from BUN/18/7

The majority of the activity identified from BUN/18/7 dates from 19th century and later, with not much evidence for disturbances on site relating to the initial occupation of the house. The single sherd of later medieval pottery hints at the use of land prior to the house, was likely agricultural and perhaps marginal to the medieval settlement at Great Green. A range of finds were excavated through the test pit, including a bone dice (figure 9) from context one, with a probable 19th century Dunville’s whiskey metal cap, clay pipe, CBM, oyster shell, animal bone, handmade nails, glass (including the base of a narrow bottle), a plastic clothes peg and pieces of scrap metal.

Test Pit eight (BUN/18/8)

Test pit eight was excavated in the large enclosed rear garden of a probable 17th or 18th century cottage set to the north of Great Green, and just in front of an old stable block. It was also the northern of two pits excavated here; see also BUN/18/7 (Old Rectory Farm, Rectory Lane, Bunwell. TM 12001 93917).

Test pit eight was excavated to a depth of 0.4m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A single sherd of Early Medieval Sandy Ware was excavated from BUN/18/8 that was also mixed in with post medieval and later sherds that have been identified as Glazed Red Earthenware and 19th Figure 10: Location map of BUN/18/8 century ‘Victorian’ wares.

EMW GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 8 1 1 1 5 39 2 22 1100-1900 8 4 4 16 6 13 550-1900 Table 8: The pottery excavated from BUN/18/8

The only High Medieval pottery excavated from the test pitting in Bunwell in 2018 was found here, in context one of BUN/18/8. As it was such a small sherd, it likely derived from manuring, the same as the later medieval evidence in this area, so this land was probably agricultural through the medieval period, with limited or sporadic use. Much like the test pit excavated in the front garden (BUN/18/7), the majority of the activity and disturbances evident on site date to the 19th century and later with a mix of finds through the depth of the test pit. These include plastic plant tags, mortar, iron nails (the majority of which were handmade), slate, CBM, coal, concrete, animal bone, tile, clay pipe, glass, a modern clip frame hook and a modern screw with snail and oyster shells. Three pieces of burnt stone were also recorded, but as they were found in context one, a later prehistoric date cannot be assumed here.

Test Pit nine (BUN/18/9)

Test pit nine was excavated in the large rear garden of a modern bungalow set to the north of Great Green (Great Green Farm Bungalow, Rectory Lane, Bunwell. TM 11963 93870).

Test pit nine was excavated to a depth of 0.52m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A range of 15th century and later pottery wares were excavated from BUN/18/9 that have been identified as Late Medieval Ware, Border Ware, Glazed Red Earthenware, Cologne Figure 11: Location map of BUN/18/9 Stoneware, English Stoneware, Staffordshire White Salt-Glazed Stoneware and Creamware. A number of 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares were also recorded through the depth of the test pit.

LMT BW GRE WCS EST SWSG CRM VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 9 2 13 63 1800-1900 9 3 1 3 5 14 7 12 1550-1900 9 4 1 6 7 58 1 5 2 13 13 16 1400-1900 9 5 7 50 2 21 2 5 1 1 1550-1900 Table 9: The pottery excavated from BUN/18/9

The pottery excavated from BUN/18/9 suggests that there was continuous activity on site from the 16th century onwards, most probably related to the original house that was on the site (the current bungalow is late 20th century in date). Limited activity was also recorded on site during the 15th century, suggesting again that this part of the village was agricultural or even common land. 19th century and later disturbances are however evident on site, perhaps due to the proximity of the test pit to the outbuildings at the back of the property, which are also on the first OS map of the later 19th century. The finds include a number of pieces of scrap metal, some of which has been identified as nails, wire, a hook, and fragments of can that were mixed through the test pit with handmade nails, animal bone, clay pipe, tile, CBM, glass, coal, mortar, a modern nail and three fragments of a possible bone handle.

Test Pit 10 (BUN/18/10)

Test pit 10 was excavated in a small area of enclosed garden between the farmhouse and the main road set in the west of the village (Walnut Tree Farm, 45 Bunwell Street, Bunwell. TM 11500 93923).

Test pit 10 was excavated to a depth of 0.4m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

All the pottery excavated from BUN/18/10 dates to the mid- 16th century and later as Glazed Red Earthenware, German Stoneware, English Stoneware and as 19th century ‘Victorian’ sherds. Figure 12: Location map of BUN/18/10

GRE GS EST VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 10 1 1 1 1 21 2 8 1550-1900 10 2 3 5 5 11 1550-1900 10 3 1 19 1 5 1550-1600 10 4 1 1 1800-1900 Table 10: The pottery excavated from BUN/18/10

The pottery suggests that all the activity on site dates to the 16th century and later, which is around the date the core of the house is supposed to date (according to the current owners), so the pottery does support this notion. This area of the property however, has likely had little in the way of disturbance, until more recently with the finds mixed through the depth of the test pit. These consist of CBM, a metal screw, animal bone, bottle glass, mortar, tile, shell, coal and slate with a small fragment of false teeth (figure 13). Very small pieces of both burnt stone and worked flint were also recorded from the upper two contexts of the test pit and may hint at the presence of later prehistoric activity on site, although analysis of the lithics would be needed to prove this.

4 Conclusions

The 10 archaeological test pits that were excavated in Bunwell in 2018 have yielded archaeological evidence for settlement in the parish dating from the high medieval through to the modern day. All the test pit results have also added to the ‘bigger picture’ of the development of Bunwell, as well as providing new insight into the level of archaeological remains that are still present under the current village.

Multiple lithics, in the form of both burnt stones and worked flints, were excavated from eight of the 10 test pits, with only BUN/18/7 and BUN/18/9 not producing any evidence of probable later prehistoric activity. Evidence for prehistoric activity has been recorded on the Norfolk Historic Environment Record (NHER) for the parish, with a range of lithics found, including a Later Bronze Age hoard (NHER 17474). The majority of these later prehistoric finds on the NHER, were found around Bunwell Hill, an area of higher ground that the St Michaels and All Angels’ church sits on the western slopes of today. This area of higher ground is ideally suited overlooking the River Tas to the south, the source of which is only in the neighbouring parish of Carleton Rode. The lithics excavated from the test pits suggest a possible extension of probable Neolithic or Bronze Age activity close to the current church, extending across Bunwell Hill, but also further west, as a second cluster of likely later prehistoric activity was also found at Great Green. Although at the time of writing, analysis of the lithics has not been undertaken, it is possible that later prehistoric activity in particular is more extensive across Bunwell parish than previously thought.

There was no evidence for any Romano-British or Anglo-Saxon material from the Bunwell test pits. As quite extensive Roman settlement and activity is known from the parish, with scatters of Anglo-Saxon finds also recorded, it is likely the small number of test pits that were able to be excavated in Bunwell and where these were sited is to the reason why no pre-medieval artefacts were excavated in 2018, rather than stating that there was no activity in Bunwell during these periods.

The settlement pattern seen today in Bunwell, likely had its origins in the medieval period, although the presence of a few Anglo-Saxon remains do hint there was activity here prior to the Normal Conquest in 1066. The dispersed nature of the settlement with small clusters of settlement centred on greens with outlying farmsteads is typically medieval. However, a single small sherd of Early Medieval Sandy Ware was only excavated from context one of BUN/18/8, during the test pitting strategy. This test pit was sited to the north of Great Green and therefore hints at agricultural activities, likely manuring, in this area that would have likely been open fields surrounding the area of settlement here. Into the later medieval, activity seemed to increase into the later medieval, with four pits yielding pottery of this date. These were again all sited around Great Green with single sherds of late medieval pot found from BUN/18/4, BUN/18/5, BUN/18/7 and BUN/18/9. As only single sherds were found from each test pit, it seems likely that these areas were again utilised as open fields around the settlement at Bunwell, as evidence of manuring. It seems again that the small number of test pits that were able to be excavated in 2018, where unlikely to have been in the areas of settlement in Bunwell during the medieval period, even the two test pits that were excavated next to St Michael’s church (NHER 10040) that dates to the late 15th century.

It was during the post medieval though that the village likely began to take on its current appearance with all the test pits yielding pottery of this date and later, although the settlement likely remained small, with a lot of 20th century and later infilling.

5 Maps

Much of the value of the test pit data from currently occupied rural settlements are derived from a holistic consideration across the entire settlement. Maps showing a range of the data from the test pit excavations in Bunwell in 2018 are included below.