nps archaeology 2016/1060 The Common, Freethorpe, Norfolk, NR13 3NT Archaeological Monitoring Prepared for: Wellington Construction Ltd Planning Ref: 20142083 HER: ENF 138348 August 2016 nps archaeology QUALITY ASSURANCE Job Number 01-04-16-2-1060 Overview Insert name Draft Robby Copsey 27-07-2016 Graphics David Dobson 28-07-2016 Edit Peter Crawley 03-08-2016 Review Andrew Crowson 05-08-2016 Issue 1 Robby Copsey, BA, MA Author Disclaimer This document has been prepared in good faith on the basis of information available at the date of publication without any independent verification for the exclusive use and benefit of the named client and for the sole purpose for which it is provided. NPS Archaeology does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or currency of the content of this document nor its usefulness in achieving any purpose. This document is not intended to nor should it be relied upon by any third party. NPS Archaeology accepts no responsibility nor liability should this document be used for any alternative purpose other than for which it is intended nor to any third party. NPS Archaeology will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on information in this document. nps archaeology Scandic House 85 Mountergate Norwich NR1 1PY T 01603 756150 F 01603 756190 E [email protected] W nau.nps.co.uk © NPS Archaeology Ltd 2016, all rights reserved nps archaeology Archaeological Monitoring – The Common, Freethorpe Contents Summary ........................................................................................................ 1 Introduction.............................................................................................................. 2 Project Background ......................................................................................... 2 Planning Background ...................................................................................... 2 Geology and Topography ........................................................................................ 4 Geology .......................................................................................................... 4 Topography ..................................................................................................... 4 Archaeological and Historical Background .............................................................. 5 Sources ........................................................................................................... 5 HER data ........................................................................................................ 5 Previous archaeological investigations ........................................................... 6 Cartographic Evidence .................................................................................... 6 Methodology ............................................................................................................ 8 General ........................................................................................................... 8 Objectives ....................................................................................................... 8 Methods .......................................................................................................... 8 Archive ............................................................................................................ 8 Results .................................................................................................................. 10 Discussion ............................................................................................................. 14 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................... 15 Bibliography and Sources ............................................................................. 16 Appendix 1: Context Summary ..................................................................... 17 Appendix 2: Historical Periods ...................................................................... 17 Appendix 3: OASIS Report Summary ........................................................... 18 Appendix 4: Archaeological Specification ..................................................... 22 nps archaeology Archaeological Monitoring – The Common, Freethorpe Figures Figure 1 Site location with HER data Figure 2 Location of monitoring Plots and evaluation trenches Figure 3 Section drawings Plates Plate 1 General view of the site, looking northeast Plate 2 Plot 5–6, ditch 06, looking northwest Tables Table 1 Site archive quantification nps archaeology Archaeological Monitoring – The Common, Freethorpe Client: Wellington Construction Ltd Location: The Common, Freethorpe, Norfolk. District: Broadland Planning Reference: 20142083 Grid Reference: TG 40096 05046 HER No.: ENF 138348 OASIS ID: norfolka1-258941 Dates of Fieldwork: 25 January–27 July 2016 Summary NPS Archaeology was commissioned by Wellington Construction Ltd to carry out archaeological monitoring during groundworks for a residential scheme at The Common, Freethorpe, Norfolk, NR13 3NT (TG 40096 05046). The planned development was to consist of the construction of 11 dwellings, garages and parking areas. Situated between Freethorpe and Southwood, the surrounding land contains evidence of human activity from the prehistoric–post-medieval periods, as demonstrated by field survey and metal detecting finds, cropmarks recorded from aerial photographs, and standing buildings situated within 1km of the site. Monitoring took place between 25 January–27 July 2016 for Plots 1-6, and 10–11, plus two soakaways and service trenches. One undated pit was recorded in an electric service trench in the northeast of the site. A ditch was recorded, orientated northwest–southeast running through Plots 10–11 and Plots 5–6. Given the location and dimensions of the ditch, it is likely to relate to (previously unrecorded) cropmarks, and a ditch excavated by an earlier archaeological evaluation. No dating evidence was recovered Page 1 nps archaeology Archaeological Monitoring – The Common, Freethorpe INTRODUCTION Project background 1 NPS Archaeology was commissioned and funded by Wellington Construction Ltd to conduct archaeological monitoring at The Common, Freethorpe, Norfolk. 2 Located on the south side of a road known as The Common, between Southwood and Freethorpe (TG 40096 05046), the site is approximately 0.41ha in extent. 3 The proposed development consists of the construction of 11 dwellings, garages, parking spaces and associated amenities. 4 The archaeological monitoring took place from 25 January–27 July 2016. 5 A number of cropmarks and earthworks have been revealed by aerial photographs, suggesting that the site is in an area of considerable archaeological interest. 6 A probable Iron Age, or Roman, road and coaxial field system is indicated from cropmarks to the southeast and east of the site. This is interspersed with more recent medieval and post-medieval field boundaries. The remains of the shrunken medieval settlement of Southwood lie to the east, and nearby fields show medieval or post-medieval enclosures. Others have been identified as possible Bronze Age barrows or hut circles, whilst those in the northwest have been identified as probable Roman field systems. Previously unrecorded cropmarks are visible on 2006 Google Earth imagery, indicating that features of archaeological interest are present closer to the development site. 7 An archaeological evaluation on the site in 2015 (Bryant-Buck 2015) excavated five trial trenches and exposed three linear features, one of which was cut by a probable ditch. No dating evidence was recovered. 8 New data from Google Earth, not available at the time of the evaluation, indicated further cropmarks were likely to be present on the site. Planning background 9 The current work was undertaken to fulfil planning requirements set by Broadland District Council (20142083) and a generic Brief issued by Norfolk County Council Historic Environment Service (NCCHES) (Hamilton 2012). The work was conducted in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation prepared by NPS Archaeology (Bryant-Buck 2016/1060). 10 The programme of work was designed to assist in defining the character and extent of any archaeological remains within the proposed development area, following guidelines set out in National Planning Policy Framework (Department for Communities and Local Government 2012). 11 The recipients of this report will be Wellington Construction Ltd, Norfolk County Council Historic Environment Service and Broadland District Council. Page 2 Track Drain N Drain Pond Cucumber Corner GP Path (um) 6.1m Path CD (um) Path (um) Track GP Manor Farm Cottages Cucumber Corner Und 10.7m Drain Und BM 15.81m CR Drain CR 14.8m 1.22m RH Pond Track Ash Tree Farm Moat GP St Mary's Church 1.22m RH BM 14.67m Bleak Lodge 1.22m RH 18.8m Def Def BM 18.57m Path (um) 1.22m RH Lyndhurst Farm 15.7m GP Drain Def 14.1m 6096 Drain Und Def 1.22m RH Def 1.22m RH Def CR Def ED & Ward Bdy 1.22m RH Def 13.6m ED & Ward Bdy Def 1.22m RH 1.22m RH 1.22m RH Track 1.22m RH Und Def 1.22m RH 1.22m RH 49616 CR CR CR 16.8m BM 17.38m RH 1.22m RH 1.22m RH 49396 14.7m ED & Ward Bdy 15.9m Und ED & Ward Bdy Und Lower Green Farm 16.1m BM 8.27m Def Def Def GP 44776 9.2m Track Pond BM 11.23m Pond GP 10.2m GP 1.22m RH Pond Reservoir 14.4m 8.3m 12986 Drain Path (um) 8.9m Pond 7.3m El Sub Sta Primrose Grove GP BM 12.24mAll Saints'