P

LAND AT SEVEN ACRES, SEVEN ACRES LANE, COLTISHALL, NORFOLK

A FULL SCHEME OF

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MITIGATION

STARTING WITH TRIAL TRENCHING

C LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY: BROADLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL

OASIS PRECONST 1-383914

ACCESSION CODE NWHCM 2019.319

CNF48673

A PLANNING APPLICATION NUMBERS: 20190352

PCA REPORT NO: R14025

SITE CODE: ENF146592

FEBRUARY 2020 PRE-CONSTRUCT ARCHAEOLOGY Land at Seven Acres, Seven Acres Lane, Coltishall, Norfolk: A Full Scheme of Archaeological Mitigation Starting with Trial Trenching ©Pre-Construct Archaeology Limited, February 2020

Land at Seven Acres, Seven Acres Lane, Coltishall, Norfolk: A Full Scheme of Archaeological Mitigation Starting with Trial Trenching

Local Planning Authority: Broadland District Council

Planning Reference: 20190352

Central National Grid Reference: TG 2659 2062

Event Number: ENF146592

Oasis reference no: preconst1-383914

Report No. R14025

Written and researched by: Harvey Furniss

Project Manager: Peter Crawley

Commissioning Client: D Phelan and W Ellis

Contractor: Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Norfolk Office Quarry Works, Dereham Road Honingham Norfolk NR9 5AP Tel: 01603 863108 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.pre-construct.com

©Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd February 2020

The material contained herein is and remains the sole property of Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd and is not for publication to third parties without prior consent. Whilst every effort has been made to provide detailed and accurate information, Pre- Construct Archaeology Ltd cannot be held responsible for errors or inaccuracies herein contained.

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CONTENTS

CONTENTS ...... 2 ABSTRACT ...... 4 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 5 2 GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY ...... 7 3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 8 4 METHODOLOGY ...... 12 5 QUANTIFICATION OF ARCHIVE ...... 14 6 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESULTS ...... 15 7 FINDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ...... 18 8 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS ...... 19 9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... 20 10 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 21 11 APPENDIX 1: PLATES ...... 28 12 APPENDIX 2: CONTEXT INDEX ...... 37 13 APPENDIX 3: TRENCH TABLES ...... 38 14 APPENDIX 4: FINDS BY CONTEXT ...... 40

FIGURE 1: SITE LOCATION ...... 23 FIGURE 2: TRENCH LOCATION ...... 24 FIGURE 3: TRENCH 1 ...... 25 FIGURE 4: TRENCHES 2 AND 3...... 26 FIGURE 5: TRENCHES 4 AND 5...... 27

PLATE 1: SITE SHOT; VIEW NORTH-WEST ...... 28 PLATE 2: EXCAVATING TRENCH 1, AUTHOR WATCHING MACHINE, VIEW NORTH-WEST ...... 28 PLATE 3: TRENCH 1; VIEW NORTH-WEST ...... 29 PLATE 4: TRENCH 1, PIT [106]; VIEW WEST ...... 29 PLATE 5: TRENCH 1; PIT [108], VIEW SOUTH-WEST ...... 30

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PLATE 6: TRENCH 2; VIEW NORTH NORTH-EAST ...... 30 PLATE 7: TRENCH 2; NATURAL FEATURE [116], VIEW NORTH-WEST ...... 31 PLATE 8: TRENCH 2; PIT [110], VIEW NORTH-WEST ...... 31 PLATE 9: TRENCH 3, VIEW SOUTH-EAST ...... 32 PLATE 10: TRENCH 3, NATURAL FEATURE [118]; VIEW NORTH-WEST ...... 32 PLATE 11: TRENCH 3, PIT [112], VIEW NORTH-EAST ...... 33 PLATE 12: TRENCH 4; VIEW SOUTH-WEST ...... 33 PLATE 13: TRENCH 4, PIT [120]; VIEW SOUTH-WEST ...... 34 PLATE 14: TRENCH 4, NATURAL FEATURE [122], VIEW WEST ...... 34 PLATE 15: TRENCH 4, DITCH TERMINUS [124], VIEW EAST ...... 35 PLATE 16: TRENCH 4, PIT [126], VIEW NORTH NORTH-WEST ...... 35 PLATE 17: TRENCH 5, VIEW NORTH-WEST ...... 36 PLATE 18: TRENCH 5, NATURAL FEATURE/HEDGEROW [114], VIEW NORTH- EAST ...... 36

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ABSTRACT

This report details the results of a programme of archaeological mitigation starting with trial trenching, undertaken in advance of residential development on the Land at Seven Acres, Seven Acres Lane, Coltishall, Norfolk (NGR TG 2659 2062). The site consists of an approximately rectangular shaped parcel of land located immediately north-west of the small town of Coltishall. There had been no previous archaeological work on the development area. The archaeological fieldwork was carried out between 27th and 29th January 2020.

Local findspots identify the area surrounding the proposed development as being prominent during the Saxon and medieval periods. Potential for prehistoric archaeology on site had also been anticipated due to moderate levels of activity along with the possible Bronze Age barrow cemetery (NHER 11672) in the field immediately north. However, there was minimal evidence for prehistoric or historic activity on the site, with finds consisting of only three struck flints and a sherd of Roman pottery, which were recovered from two pits within Trench 1.

In total, eleven features were unearthed during the trail trench investigation; the activity consisting of six pits, four natural features and one ditch. Many of these features, both archaeological and natural were undated and thought likely to be connected with the use of the plot for the growing of fruit during the 20th century.

The Roman Pit [108] may represent low-status agricultural activity and ties in with the background activity of this date in the wider Coltishall Parish where a small Roman population was evidenced by stray finds of coins, brooches and pottery.

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 A programme of archaeological mitigation starting with trial trenching was undertaken by Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd. (PCA) on Land at Seven Acres, Seven Acres Lane, Coltishall, NR12 7JZ (centred on Ordnance Survey National Grid Reference (NGR) TG 2659 2062) between the 27th and 29th January 2020 (Figure 1; Plate 1).

1.2 The archaeological work was commissioned by D Phelan and W Ellis in response to an archaeological planning condition attached to the construction of one house with extensive landscaping on Land at Seven Acres, Seven Acres Lane, Coltishall, NR12 7JZ (Broadland District Council Planning Reference: 20190352). Due to the high archaeological potential of the surrounding area, the Historic Environment Service of Norfolk County Council (HES/NCC) has recommended that the condition (20190352) requiring a scheme of archaeological mitigation, be placed on the current development. The first phase of this mitigation was trial trenching, to assess the nature and potential of the site.

1.3 The trial trenching was carried out in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) prepared by Peter Crawley of PCA (Crawley 2019) in response to a Brief for a programme of archaeological mitigation starting with trial trenching issued by John Percival (Percival 2019 CNF48673) of the Historic Environment Service of Norfolk County Council (HES/NCC).

1.4 The aim of the trial trenching was to determine the location, date, extent, character, condition and quality of any archaeological remains on the site, to assess the significance of any such remains in a local, regional, or national context, as appropriate, and to assess the potential impact of the development proposals on the site's archaeology.

1.5 A total of five trial trenches, totalling 100m, were excavated and recorded (Figure 2).

1.6 This report describes the results of the trial trench investigation and aims to

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inform the design of an appropriate archaeological mitigation strategy. Following Transfer of Title, the site archive will be deposited with the Norfolk Museums Service.

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2 GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY

2.1 Site Location (Figure 1) 2.1.1 The development site is approximately 1.4 hectares in total size; however, the area of the site potentially affect by intrusive groundworks and landscaping works is just 0.35 hectares. The site at present comprises a grassed paddock/meadow.

2.2 Geology 2.2.1 The bedrock geology is recorded as Wroxham Crag Formation - Sand and Gravel a Sedimentary Bedrock which formed approximately 0 to 2 million years ago in the Quaternary Period in a local environment previously dominated by swamps, estuaries and deltas.

2.2.2 There are no superficial deposits recorded for the site, but a short distance to the east, Happisburgh Glacigenic Formation - Sand and Gravel appear to be the general background superficial deposits for the wider area. These formed up to 3 million years ago in the Quaternary Period in a local environment previously dominated by ice age conditions.

2.3 Topography 2.3.1 The site has a low-lying aspect at c. 5m AOD on land which slopes down gently towards the River Bure, located approximately 300m to the west. Several historic sites, including the site of St Theobald's church and Great Hautbois Castle are located on the north bank of the River, to the west, within the River's floodplain. The main settlement core of Coltishall is located approximately 200m to the south of the site, beyond the railway track operated by the Bure Valley Railway, which is adjacent to the south side of the site. The village of Great Hautbois lay to the north west, further along Seven Acres Lane.

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3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND 3.1.1 The following archaeological background is taken from the Archaeological Brief (Percival 2019 CNF48673) and a search of the Norfolk HER supplemented by information derived from the Norfolk Heritage Explorer-Parish Summary for Coltishall.

3.1.2 The most relevant NHER entry is outlined in the archaeological brief (CNF48673). Immediately north of the development site a levelled barrow cemetery of Bronze Age date is thought to have been located as based on cropmark evidence comprising of one or more annular or penannular ring- ditches recorded on aerial photographs and google earth images dated 2003 (NHER 11672).

3.1.3 The archaeological brief explains that 'Barrow cemeteries sometimes have contemporary features scattered around the main monuments. River valley slopes, particularly south facing ones, are often a favoured location for settlement and other activity during the prehistoric period. Barrow cemeteries were also regularly the focus of settlement and burial activity in the Early Anglo- Saxon Period' (CNF48673).

3.2 Prehistoric 3.2.1 Although this part of Norfolk is known to have a rich prehistoric past, there is only a moderate amount of prehistoric dated records on the NHER within 500m of the current site, although what has been recorded suggests a strong bias towards the Neolithic period.

3.2.2 For example, several worked flints and a core of non-specific prehistoric date were found in the field to the north of the site (NHER 13422).

3.2.3 Eleven flint flakes and a scraper, more closely dated to the Neolithic period, were found in the field immediately south of the Bure Valley Railway (NHER 13423).

3.2.4 Further findspots include NHER22613, where a Neolithic axe head was recorded, a flake at NHER 22612, and further to the north west (NHER 21433)

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a Neolithic axe or chisel. To the south east a Neolithic flint Knife had been unearthed (NHER 11939).

3.2.5 As previously mentioned, a ring ditch, probably representing the site of a barrow of likely Bronze Age date was recorded immediately north of the site, this was potentially part of the wider barrow cemetery visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs (NHER 11672). Further linear features recorded on the same site were probably the remains of Post-medieval field boundaries.

3.3 Roman 3.3.1 There is little of Roman date recorded on the NHER within 500m of the site.

3.3.2 In the wider area, a Roman Road is thought to have traversed between Caister St Edmund, northwards towards Brampton.

3.3.3 Beyond the search area there have been finds of Roman coins (NHER 8046, 21287 and 34866), brooches (NHER 8049, 8050) and fragments of pottery (NHER 35717, 8048), which indicate that there was a Roman population somewhere in the vicinity of Coltishall and as confirmation of this, Roman brick has been found re-used within the fabric of St Theobald’s Church (NHER 7677) in Great Hautbois.

3.3.4 Approximately 300m to the south east of the site, at Station Road, an alternative site for an Iron Age and Roman inhumation burial has been recorded (recorded as NHER 7676 and NHER 7680).

3.4 Anglo-Saxon 3.4.1 Coltishall derives its name from the Old English for ‘a nook of land belonging to Cohede’ (Norfolk Heritage Explorer-Parish Summary).

3.4.2 The main centre of the Anglo-Saxon to medieval activity lay to the south east of the site around St John the Baptist’s Church (NHER 4767) Coltishall and to the west around St Theobald’s Church (NHER 7677) in Great Hautbois, and there are few remains of Anglo-Saxon date found at or close to the current site.

3.4.3 Within the wider parish, an Early Saxon brooch (NHER 21955) is the sole

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artefact from the Saxon period that has been found, although by the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 there was a relatively substantial settlement at Coltishall, comprising an unnamed church, and St John the Baptist’s Church (NHER 4767). Great Hautbois a short distance to the north west gains it's name from the Old English meaning ‘a meadow with tussocks’ and had eight acres of meadow recorded in Domesday. St Theobald’s Church (NHER 7677) in Great Hautbois also dates to the Late Saxon period, and probably had an early foundation due to the presence of Roman brick in its walls.

3.4.4 As previously stated, the possible Bronze Age barrow cemetery to the north of the site may also have attracted later Anglo-Saxon burials and other activity (NHER 11672), but as yet this has not been confirmed.

3.5 Medieval 3.5.1 The settlement of Coltishall was recorded within the hundred of South Erpingham in the Domesday survey. It had a recorded population of 16.6 households in 1086, and is listed under 2 owners, William of Warenne and Roger of Poitou.

3.5.2 By way of example William of Warren's land had 17.5 men's plough teams, Meadow 18 acres, Woodland 27 pigs, 1.8 mills, 2 churches, and 0.15 church lands. The annual value rose from 2 pounds 10 shillings in 1066 to 4 pounds 15 shillings and 5 pence in 1086. (Phillimore reference: Norfolk 8,8. https://opendomesday.org/place/TG2719/coltishall/)

3.5.3 During the medieval period the most relevant site recorded on the NHER was that of Great Hautbois castle (NHER 7679) built in 1312 by Sir Robert Bainard. The moat, bailey and foundations of the buildings are still visible today. Other than the castle and the churches in Great Bois and Coltishall described above, there are not many further medieval entries within 500m of the site, and it is likely that the rapid expansion of the town in the Post-medieval period, quickly expanded into the area of the former medieval fields, removing traces of potential ditches, earthworks or possible ridge and furrow.

3.5.4 Possible field boundaries, of unknown date, but which could be the remains of

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medieval fields were observed to the north of the site adjacent to Coltishall RAF base at NHER 58056.

3.6 Post-medieval 3.6.1 Coltishall grew substantially in the Post-medieval period into the small town we see today, and which still contains many extant 17th and 18th century buildings representing this relative wealth. The most important buildings include the School House (NHER 4768), the Limes (NHER 4771), Lower House (NHER 4774) and the Old Hall (NHER 25824), all of 17th century date.

3.6.2 The prosperity of Coltishall is also represented by the former 18th century malting complex (NHER 19209), and several lime kilns (NHER 16678, 16680) which lay on the edge of the village to the south east of the site.

3.6.3 The Bure Navigation Canal (NHER 29856), constructed in the 1770s between Aylsham and Coltishall, and the Lock Cut (NHER 28753) brought more trade into the parish, and stimulated the boat building industry.

3.6.4 Good transport links were furthered by the construction of the East Norfolk Railway, Aylsham Branch, which opened from Wroxham to Buxton in 1878 and to Aylsham in 1879, Reepham 1881, and Broom Green in 1882. It was closed in 1952, with concrete trains running along part of the line until the 1970s (NHER13587).

3.6.5 The important RAF base (NHER 7697), used as a fighter base during World War Two and the Cold War, lay reasonably close to the site to the north. An associated World War Two searchlight battery was also recorded at NHER 34402 on Frogge lane, approximately 200m north of the site.

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4 METHODOLOGY

4.1 General 4.1.1 The archaeological trial trench investigation comprised five no. 20m long trenches by 1.80m wide trenches (Figure 2):

4.1.2 The trenches totalled 100m in overall length and provided a sample 5% of the area affected by ground disturbance (c. 3500m2). The trenches were targeted on the footprints of the proposed new dwelling and the landscaping area.

4.2 Excavation Methodology 4.2.1 Ground reduction during the trial trench investigation was carried out using an 8-ton 360° tracked mechanical excavator, used to strip the trenches (Plate 2). Topsoil and other overburden of low archaeological value were removed in spits down to the level of the first significant archaeological horizon or the undisturbed natural geological deposits, whichever was encountered first.

4.2.2 Exposed surfaces were cleaned by trowel and hoe as appropriate and all further excavation was undertaken manually using hand tools.

4.3 Recording and Finds Recovery 4.3.1 The limits of excavations, heights above Ordnance Datum (m OD) and the locations of archaeological features and interventions were recorded using a Leica 1200 GPS rover unit with RTK differential correction, giving three- dimensional accuracy of 20mm or better.

4.3.2 Deposits or the removal of deposits judged by the excavating archaeologist to constitute individual events were each assigned a unique record number (often referred to within British archaeology as ‘context numbers’) and recorded on individual pre-printed forms (Taylor and Brown 2009). Archaeological processes recognised by the deposition of material are signified in this report by round brackets (thus), while events constituting the removal of deposits are referred to here as ‘cuts’ and signified by square brackets [thus]. Where more than one slot was excavated through an individual feature, each intervention was assigned additional numbers for the cutting event and for the deposits it

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contained (these deposits within cut features being referred to here as ‘fills’). The record numbers assigned to cuts, deposits and groups are entirely arbitrary and in no way reflect the chronological order in which events took place. All features and deposits excavated during the trial trench investigation are listed in Appendix 2. Artefacts recovered during excavation were assigned to the record number of the deposit from which they were retrieved.

4.3.3 Metal-detecting was carried out during the topsoil and subsoil stripping and throughout the excavation process. Archaeological features and spoil heaps were scanned by metal-detector periodically. Only objects of modern date were found and were not retained for accession.

4.3.4 High-resolution digital photographs were taken of all relevant features and deposits and were used to keep a record of the excavation process.

4.4 Sampling Strategy 4.4.1 Discrete features were half-sectioned, photographed and recorded by a cross- section scaled drawing at an appropriate scale (either 1:10 or 1:20).

4.4.2 Linear features were investigated by means of regularly spaced slots amounting to 25% of their lengths where possible. These were recorded as part of the GPS survey and noted on the relevant context sheets. There were no intercutting features present at the site, and therefore no relationship slots were excavated.

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5 QUANTIFICATION OF ARCHIVE

5.1 Paper Archive Context register sheets 2 Context sheets 26 Plan registers 0 Plans at 1:50 0 Plans at 1:20 0 Plans at 1:10 0 Plans at 1:5 0 Section register sheets 1 Sections at 1:10 & 1:20 11 Trench record sheets 5 Photo register sheets 2 Small finds register sheets 0 Environmental register sheets 0

5.2 Digital Archive Digital photos 127 GPS survey files 1 Digital plans 1 GIS project 0 Access database 1

5.3 Physical Archive Struck flint 3 Burnt flint 0 Pottery 1 (4.5g) Ceramic building material (CBM) 0 Clay tobacco pipe 0 Glass 0 Briquetage 0 Small Finds 0 Slag 0 Animal bone 0 Shell 0

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6 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESULTS

6.1 Overview 6.1.1 During the project a series of natural features, pits, and a single ditch were identified and recorded. The five trenches were within the grounds of the Seven Acres estate and contained evidence for activity relating to the lands previous use as a 20th-century market garden. Natural features, in the form of both discreet and linear-shaped activity, were prevalent in all but one of the trenches during the project.

6.1.2 Roman pottery (4.5g) recovered from Pit [108] in Trench 1 was the only dateable pottery from the investigation (See Anderson; Section 7.2). Worked flint (9g), probably residual, was also recovered from two Pits [106] and [108] (See Bishop; Section 7.1).

6.2 Undated Natural Features [114], [116], [118], and [122]

Natural Feature [116] (Trench 2) 6.2.1 Natural Feature [116] was uncovered in the north-western area of site (Figure 4, Plate 7). The full extent of the linear-shaped feature was not determined as it extended beyond the trench's western and eastern edges. The exposed part of the feature measured 1.3m wide and 0.41m deep, with sloped sides and an uneven base, along with a single fill of loose, mid greyish-brown silty sand (113). No finds were recovered.

Natural Feature [118] (Trench 3) 6.2.2 Natural Feature [118] was uncovered in in the north-western area of site (Figure 4, Plate 10). The feature measured at 1.2m long, 0.89m wide and 0.13m deep, with a gentle sided and uneven profile with a single fill of mid greyish-brown silty sand (117). No finds were present.

Natural Feature [122] (Trench 4) 6.2.3 Natural Feature [122] was uncovered in the north-eastern area of site (Figure 5, Plate 14). Its full extent was not determined as it extended beyond the trench's edge, but the exposed part of the linear-shaped feature measured at 0.61m wide and 0.1m deep, with gentle sided and unevenly based profile with

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a single fill of loose, mid greyish-brown silty sand (121). No finds were present.

Natural Feature [114] (Trench 5) 6.2.4 Natural Feature [114] was uncovered in the north-eastern area of the site running in a north-east south-west alignment (Figure 5, Plate 18). The full extent of the linear-shaped feature was not determined as it extended beyond the trench's northern and southern edges. The exposed part of the feature measured 1.38m wide and 0.28m deep, with moderately sloped sides and a concave base with a single fill of loose, mid greyish-brown sandy silt (113). No finds were recovered.

6.3 Undated Pits [110], [112], [120], and [126] an Undated Ditch Terminus [124]

Pit [110] (Trench 2) 6.3.1 Pit [110] was uncovered in the north-western area of site (Figure 4, Plate 8). The full extent of the circular shaped discreet measured at 0.61m in diameter and 0.26m deep, with moderate sides and an uneven base, along with a single fill of moderate, mid greyish-brown silty sand (109). No finds were recovered.

Pit [112] (Trench 3) 6.3.2 Pit [112] was uncovered in the north-western area of site (Figure 4, Plate 11). The feature was located underneath the northernmost baulk of Trench 3. The projected extent of the circular shaped discreet measured at approximately 1.82m in diameter and at least 1.04m deep, with vertical sides and an undetermined base (Plate 4). Pit [112] had a single fill of friable, mid greyish- brown silty sand (111). No finds were recovered.

Pit [120] (Trench 4) 6.3.3 Pit [120] was uncovered in the north-western area of site (Figure 5, Plate 13). The full extent of the circular shaped discreet measured at 0.79m in diameter and 0.13m deep, with irregular sides and an uneven base, along with a single fill of moderate, mid greyish-brown silty sand (119). No finds were recovered.

Pit [126] (Trench 4) 6.3.4 Pit [126] was uncovered in the north-western area of site (Figure 5, Plate 16). The full extent of the sub-circular shaped discreet was undetermined measured

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at 0.98m wide and 0.3m deep, with sloped sides and an uneven base, along with a single fill of moderate, mid greyish-brown silty sand (125). No finds were recovered.

Ditch Terminus [124] (Trench 4) 6.3.5 Ditch [124] was uncovered in the north-eastern area of site (Figure 5, Plate 15). The full extent of the linear-shaped feature was not determined as it extended beyond the trench's eastern edge. The exposed part of the feature measured 0.95m wide and 0.28m deep, with sloped sides and a concave base. The feature had a single fill of moderate, light brownish-grey sandy silt (123). No finds were recovered.

6.4 Dated features

Pit [106] (Trench 1) 6.4.1 Pit [106] was uncovered in the north-western area of site (Figure 4, Plate 4). The full extent of the sub-circular shaped discreet measured at 0.84m long, 1.3m wide and 0.41m deep, with sloped sides and a concave base. Pit [106] comprised of two fills, the earliest was a moderate, light brownish-grey silty sand (105). Fill (105) yielded one piece of worked flint of Mesolithic to Early Neolithic date (4.4g) (See Bishop; Section 7.1). The later fill (104) was a moderate, mid greyish-brown silty sand no finds. Although technically a dated feature, the worked flint is thought likely to be residual, within a later feature.

Pit [108] (Trench 1) 6.4.2 Pit [108] was uncovered in the southern area of site (Figure 3, Plate 5). The pit was half-exposed underneath the southern baulk of Trench 1. The sub-circular shaped discreet feature measured at 1.7m long, 1.68m wide, and 0.72m deep with sloped sides and an uneven base, along with a single fill of moderately compacted, mid greyish-brown silty sand (107). A single sherd of pottery was recovered from the bottom of the feature and dated to the Roman period (4.5g) (See Anderson; Section 7.2). Two pieces of not closely dateable worked flint were also uncovered in Fill (107) (4.5g), respectively of Mesolithic to Early Neolithic and Mesolithic to Early Bronze Age date (See Bishop; Section 7.1).

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7 FINDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE

7.1 Flint By Barry Bishop

7.1.1 Three struck flints were recovered, all from Trench 1 with two coming from feature [108] and one from feature [106]. All three were made from a fine- grained translucent black / grey flint and two pieces retained a rough but slightly weathered cortex, suggesting the raw materials were gathered from the local till deposits. No diagnostic pieces are present, but the three pieces appear technologically homogeneous, being the product of a reasonably competent blade-based reduction strategy that be dated to the Mesolithic or Neolithic

periods.

prismatic

-

uggesteddate range

Context Location Blade: non Flake Colour Cortex Condition S Rough, slightly Mesolithic/Early 105 Tr. 01 1 Translucent dark grey weathered Good Neolithic ?Mesolithic/Early 107 Tr. 01 1 Translucent dark grey None Chipped Neolithic Rough, slightly Slightly Mesolithic-Early 107 Tr. 01 1 Translucent dark grey weathered chipped Bronze Age Table 1, Worked Flint

7.2 Roman Pottery By Katie Anderson

7.2.1 A single sherd of abraded pottery (4.5g) was recovered from feature [108]. Although lacking diagnostic form, the sherd resembled a fragment of Roman Greyware, dated Late 1st to 4th century.

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8 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

8.1 The archaeological investigation on Land at Seven Acres identified an array of archaeological and natural features. These were largely undated and were identified as the remnants of the market-garden activity which had been undertaken here in the 20th century, however there was a slight concentration of dated features within Trench 1. Here Pits [108] and [106] contained three worked flints and a sherd of Roman pottery.

8.2 It is possible that the worked flints were residual within later features, but nevertheless they do represent a small focus of earlier activity perhaps reflecting a continuation of the type of activity logged at NHER 13423 a short distance to the south west. NHER 13423 records eleven flakes including a scraper of Neolithic date. A leaf-shaped flint knife of Neolithic date was found a short distance to the south (NHER 11939). Further finds of similar prehistoric date appear to favour the ground heading south west towards the River Bure. It is worth noting that the lack of features or finds more directly connected with the site of a probable Bronze Age ring ditch to the north east NHER 11672 may be due to the lower general aspect of the site, and its less prominent position above the River Bure. Bronze Age barrows often favour the higher, most-visible parts of south facing slopes. The current project usefully confirms an absence of that funerary activity on the present site thereby helping to define it.

8.3 Pit [108] located within Trench 1, on the south western side of the site contained a sherd of Roman greyware, and although it is possible that this sherd was residual, its presence within the basal fill appeared to date the pit. The pit may represent low-level, low-status agricultural practice, possibly a waste pit or small sand extraction pit. Although there is no further recorded Roman activity close to site, there are indications of a Roman population further afield, in the wider Coltishall parish as evidenced by stray coins, brooches and pottery finds (NHER 8046, NHER 21287, NHER 34866, NHER 8049, NHER 8050, NHER 35717 and NHER 8048). An Iron Age/Roman inhumation burial has also been recorded, but its position cannot be closely located (recorded as NHER 7676 and NHER 7680).

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9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

9.1 Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd would like to thank Dennis Phelan and William Ellis for commissioning and funding the work, and for their kind assistance during the project. PCA are also grateful to John Percival of Norfolk Historic Environment Team for monitoring the work on behalf of the Local Planning Authority. The project was managed for PCA by Peter Crawley, who contributed the discussion section to this report, and was supervised by Harvey Furniss. The author would like to thank Amy Moralee for her hard work on site. Figures accompanying this report were prepared by Rosie Scales of PCA's CAD Department. Finds processing was managed by Sîan O'Neill.

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10 BIBLIOGRAPHY

10.1 Printed Sources

Brown, N. and Glazebrook, J. (eds.) 2000 Research and Archaeology: a Framework for the Eastern Counties, 2. Research Agenda and Strategy. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No. 8

Crawley, P. 2019. Written scheme of investigation for a full programme of archaeological mitigatory work starting with trial trenching. Land at Seven Acres, Seven Acres Lane, Coltishall. PCA

Glazebrook, J. (ed.) 1997 Research and Archaeology: a Framework for the Eastern Counties, 1. Resource Assessment. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No. 3

Gurney, D. 2003. Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No.14.

Percival, J. 2019 Brief for a programme of archaeological mitigatory work (to commence with informative trial trenching) at Land at Seven Acres, Seven Acres Lane, Coltishall. Norfolk County Council Historic Environment Service (CNF48673)

Robertson, D. et al. 2018 Standards for Development-led Archaeological Projects in Norfolk. Norfolk County Council Historic Environment Service.

Medlycott, M. 2011. (ed.) Research and Archaeology Revisited: A revised framework for the East of England. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper 24

10.2 Websites

British Geological Survey 2019. Geology of Britain Viewer. http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html?location=IP9%203DG.

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https://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/

http://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?TNF192

https://opendomesday.org/place/TG2719/coltishall/.

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Coltishall

N O R F O L K Site Location

C A M B S

S U F F O L K

N

626000/321200

The Site

626000/320000

0 500m

Contains Ordnance Survey data a Crown copyright and database right 2019 Figure 1 a Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd 2020 Site Location 30/01/2020 RS 1:2,000,000, 1:250,000, 1:10,000 at A4 N

Trench 3

Trench 5

Trench 4

Trench 2

626600/320600 626740/320600

Trench 1

Prehistoric Roman Natural Undated

0 25m

Ordnance Survey a Crown copyright 2020. All rights reserved. License number 100022432 Figure 2 a Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd 2020 All Features Plan 30/01/2020 RS 1:625 at A4 N

Fig. 3

S N Trench 1 9.95m OD 9.95m OD S2 108 (104)

(105) 106 S1 [106] Section 1 Trench 1 East Facing

SE NW

9.56m OD 9.56m OD

(101)

(102)

(107)

[108]

Section 2 Trench 1 Prehistoric | Excavated Slot Northeast Facing Roman | Excavated Slot 0 2m 0 10m

Ordnance Survey a Crown copyright 2020. All rights reserved. License number 100022432 Figure 3 a Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd 2020 Trench 1 Plan and Sections 30/01/2020 RS Inset 1:2000, Plan 1:250, Sections 1:40 at A4 N Fig. 4

Trench 3

S4 112

SW NE SW NE 10.91m OD 10.91m OD 10.90m OD 10.90m OD S7 (109) (115) 118 [110] Section 3 [116] 2m Trench 2 Section 6 Southeast Facing Trench 2 Southeast Facing

Trench 2

NW SE 110 S3 (101) SW NE

11.42m OD 11.42m OD (117) 10.24m OD (102) 10.24m OD S6 [118] 116 Section 7 Trench 3 Southeast Facing

(111) [112] Natural | Excavated Slot Undated | Excavated Slot Section 4 0 2m 0 10m Trench 3 Southwest Facing

Figure 4 Fig. Ordnance 3 Survey a Crown copyright 2020. All rights reserved. License number 100022432 a Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd 2020 Trench 2 and 3 Plan and Sections 30/01/2020 RS Inset 1:2000, Plan 1:250, Sections 1:40 at A4 N Fig. 5

Trench 5

S5 114

S N SW NE Trench 4 12.73m OD 12.73m OD (119) 12.91m OD 12.91m OD [120] Section 8 (101) Trench 4 East Facing (102)

126 (125) S11 S S [126] 124 12.75m OD 12.75m OD Section 11 S10 (121) Trench 4 [122] Southeast Facing Section 9 S9 Trench 4 East Facing 122 NW SE

13.04m OD 13.04m OD 120 (113) S8 N S 12.83m OD 12.83m OD [114] (123) Section 5 Trench 5 [124] Southwest Facing Section 10 Natural | Excavated Slot Trench 4 West Facing Undated | Excavated Slot

0 10m

Ordnance Survey a Crown copyright 2020. All rights reserved. License number 100022432 Figure 5 a Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd 2020 Trench 4 and 5 Plan and Sections 30/01/2020 RS Inset 1:2000, Plan 1:250, Sections 1:40 at A4 Land at Seven Acres, Seven Acres Lane, Coltishall, Norfolk: A Full Scheme of Archaeological Mitigation Starting with Trial Trenching ©Pre-Construct Archaeology Limited, February 2020

11 APPENDIX 1: PLATES

Plate 1: Site shot; view north-west

Plate 2: Excavating Trench 1, author watching machine, view north-west

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Plate 3: Trench 1; view north-west

Plate 4: Trench 1, Pit [106]; view west

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Plate 5: Trench 1; Pit [108], view south-west

Plate 6: Trench 2; view north north-east

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Plate 7: Trench 2; natural feature [116], view north-west

Plate 8: Trench 2; Pit [110], view north-west

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Plate 9: Trench 3, view south-east

Plate 10: Trench 3, Natural feature [118]; view north-west

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Plate 11: Trench 3, Pit [112], view north-east

Plate 12: Trench 4; view south-west

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Plate 13: Trench 4, Pit [120]; view south-west

Plate 14: Trench 4, Natural feature [122], view west

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Plate 15: Trench 4, Ditch terminus [124], view east

Plate 16: Trench 4, Pit [126], view north north-west

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Plate 17: Trench 5, view north-west

Plate 18: Trench 5, Natural feature/hedgerow [114], looking north-east

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12 APPENDIX 2: CONTEXT INDEX

Context No Cut Trench Type Category

101 - - Layer Topsoil

102 - - Layer Subsoil

103 - - Layer Natural

104 106 1 Fill Pit

105 106 1 Fill Pit

106 - 1 Cut Pit

107 108 1 Fill Pit

108 - 1 Cut Pit

109 110 2 Fill Pit

110 - 2 Cut Pit

111 112 3 Fill Pit

112 - 3 Cut Pit

113 114 5 Fill Natural Feature

114 - 5 Cut Natural Feature

115 116 2 Fill Natural Feature

116 - 2 Fill Natural Feature

117 118 3 Fill Natural Feature

118 - 3 Fill Natural Feature

119 120 4 Cut Pit

120 - 4 Fill Pit

121 122 4 Cut Natural Feature

122 - 4 Fill Natural Feature

123 124 4 Fill Ditch Terminus

124 - 4 Cut Ditch Terminus

125 126 4 Fill Pit

126 - 4 Cut Pit

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13 APPENDIX 3: TRENCH TABLES TRENCH 1 Figure 3 Trench Alignment: WNW–ESE Length: 20m Width: 1.80m Level of Natural (m OD): 9.48–10.47m Deposit Context No. Max. Thickness (m) WNW End ESE End Topsoil (101) 0.44m 0.57m Subsoil (102) 0.45m - Natural (103) 0.89m+ 0.57m+ Summary Trench 1 was opened in the south-western area of site. (Plates 3, 4 and 5).

Trench 1 contained two Pits [106] and [108].

TRENCH 2 Figure 4 Trench Alignment: NE–SW Length: 20m Width: 1.80m Level of Natural (m OD): 10.81-10.97m Deposit Context No. Max. Thickness (m) NE End SW End Topsoil (101) 0.3m 0.28m Subsoil (102) 0.15m - Natural (103) 0.45m+ 0.28m+ Summary Trench 2 was opened in the western area of the site and was positioned on the landscape to cover the footprint of the proposed housing development. (Plates 6, 7 and 8).

Trench 2 contained a Pit [110] and a Natural Feature [116]

TRENCH 3 Figure 4 Trench Alignment: NW–SE Length: 21.1m Width: 1.80m Level of Natural (m OD): 10.23–11.41m Deposit Context No. Max. Thickness (m) NW End SE End Topsoil (101) 0.28m 0.16m Subsoil (102) 0.73m 0.28m Natural (103) 1.02m+ 0.44m+ Summary Trench 3 was opened in the north-western area of the site and was positioned on the landscape to cover the footprint of the proposed housing development. (Plates 9, 10 and 11).

Trench 3 contained a Pit [112] and a Natural Feature [118].

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TRENCH 4 Figure 5 Trench Alignment: NE–SW Length: 20m Width: 1.80m Level of Natural (m OD): 12.71–12.97m Deposit Context No. Max. Thickness (m) SW End NE End Topsoil (101) 0.3m 0.28m Subsoil (102) 0.35m 0.3m Natural (103) 0.65m+ 0.58m+ Summary Trench 4 was opened in the north-eastern area of site and was positioned on the landscape to cover the footprint of the designated area for landscaping. (Plates 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16).

Trench 4 contained Pits [120] and [126], Ditch Terminus [124], and a Natural Feature [122].

TRENCH 5 Figure 5 Trench Alignment: NW-SE Length: 20m Width: 1.80m Level of Natural (m OD): 12.94–13.09m Deposit Context No. Max. Thickness (m) NW End SE End Topsoil (101) 0.28m 0.25m Subsoil (102) 0.24m 0.35m Natural (103) 0.52m+ 0.6m+ Summary Trench 5 was opened in the north-eastern area of site and was positioned on the landscape to cover the footprint of the designated area for landscaping. (Plates 17 and 18).

Trench 5 contained a Natural Feature [114].

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14 APPENDIX 4: FINDS BY CONTEXT

Context Feature Location Descrption Suggesteddate range Flint Flake. Rough, slightly weathered, Translucent 105 106 Tr. 01 dark grey coloured. Good condition Meso/Early Neolithic Flint Flake. Translucent dark grey coloured. Chipped 107 108 Tr. 01 condition. Meso/Early Neolithic Flint Flake Rough, slightly weathered. Translucent 107 108 Tr. 01 dark grey Slightly chipped condition Meso-Early Bronze Age 107 108 Tr. 01 Pottery. Grey Fabric. Worn condition Roman

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