Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and 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Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group Norfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research GroupNorfolk Archaeology Norfolk Archaeological and Historical Research Group

The Norfolk Archaeological & Historical Research Group
Norfolk Archaeological & Historical Research Group N.A.H.R.G. Text Box: Norfolk Landscape Archaeology Report April 2006 NLA work in 2005/6 In the last year (to the end of March 2006): - 1597 planning consultations were reviewed 161 Archaeological Briefs were issued 3248 new monuments records were added to the Norfolk Historic Environment Record 34,553 existing NHER monument records were amended or enhanced 25,141 finds were identified and recorded The Norfolk Historic Environment Record (NHER) The NHER now has more than 48,000 records of monuments, buildings and finds. English Heritage has recently provided a digital copy of Listed Buildings data for the county, and more than 10,000 of these have been imported. The information includes the listing description, as well as details of building materials and dates. Work is in progress to link all Listed Building records to existing monument records in the NHER, with just over 15% linked so far, including all records for Great Yarmouth. Just under 50% of the county’s map sheets have been digitised. This process has included checking that point data is correctly located on the NHER’s computerized mapping (GIS), and converting points to polygons to indicate the extent of archaeological remains. Volunteers needed The NHER would like to hear from anyone who could spare some time to help with some fairly routine but very important office-based tasks, such as copying and filing HER records at Gressenhall. Please contact Jan Allen on 01362 869282. Northwic At Fishergate, on the north side of the River Wensum, six sceatta, silver coins dating from the 7th to 8th century, have been discovered. This brings the total of such coins to seven from the city, the other having been found in Brian Ayer’s excavation 25m to the west 20 years ago. It proves that significant economic activity was taking place here at that time. Analysis of the archaeological context that these coins emerged from is still at an early stage but it appears that we may have the first features from Northwic. Previously the Middle Saxon settlement had been much discussed and theorised upon but from very few tangible remains. On the opposite side of the river recent work at Palace Street has uncovered two Anglo-Scandinavian sunken-feature buildings. Only four other examples are known from the city, two each from the Greyfriars and Castle Mall excavations. The Palace Street examples are particularly fine repositories of information, with burnt remains including food waste, cloth and timber. Historic Environment Countryside Advice Much of NLA’s recent planning/management effort has concentrated on the provision of advice and information for applications by landowners to DEFRA for funds to protect important elements of the historic environment through the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. To date there have been 58 consultations, including one holding of more than 3000 hectares, taking in a huge expanse of the historic environment. It is good to know that monuments and important remains will be adequately protected through the scheme for the first time in the modern era. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Norfolk has dealt with more consultations than any other county in England and that we have examined some of the largest and richest – in terms of existing archaeological knowledge - holdings in the country. Norfolk National Mapping Project The NMP team has now mapped all of the Norfolk Coast from Terrington St Clements to Hopton. Recording of the east coast from Horsey to Hopton is ongoing and the numbers of new and amended sites are extremely high; 450 sites in Great Yarmouth alone have been recorded to date. Areas of the Broads are also being investigated, with the eastern part of Halvergate Marshes and Breydon Water having been mapped. The mapping around the Saxon Shore Fort at Burgh Castle has revealed even more extensive archaeological remains and cropmarks surrounding the fort than had been previously known. Many of the cropmarks are likely to relate to the contemporary vicus to the east of the fort. Mapping in the area of the Halvergate Marshes has revealed new sites relating to the medieval and post medieval use of this landscape. These have included earthworks of saltern mounds and sheep cotes as well as extensive drainage ditches. Earthworks of narrow ridge and furrow have also been identified in this area, likely to date to the period of the Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815) when areas of the marshland were converted to arable as a result of high grain prices. In additional to work on the Coastal Zone, a map sheet in the northwest of the county at Sedgeford has also been completed. A number of new sites, including Bronze Age ring ditches, have been recorded. The Norfolk Heritage Explorer The main aims of the project are to involve people of Norfolk in heritage issues and to make information about Norfolk’s historic environment more accessible. To achieve this, the Norfolk Historic Environment Record will be published on the Internet as the Norfolk Heritage Explorer. The work of the NHE Records Team continues apace and the team have now written summaries for over 19,000 NHER records. As the target for the end of March 2006 was 16,500 records, the team are well ahead of schedule. The team are working through Norfolk’s parishes alphabetically and have now reached Kempstone, with records for 253 of Norfolk’s 532 parishes completed. Archaeological overview summaries have also been written for 224 parishes. Work has begun on designing the website and the Records Team have produced a series of mock-up pages. These will be used as guides by exeGesIS, the software company producing the website. It is hoped that the website will go live mid 2006. Identification and Recording Service for Archaeological Finds The total number of objects, coins, flint and pottery recorded between October 2005 and March 2006 is 11776. The recently published Treasure Annual Report 2003 includes data on Treasure cases up to and including 2004. There were 78 cases in Norfolk in 2004, representing 21% of the total in England. The recently-published Portable Antiquities Scheme Annual Report 2004/5 reports upon the 67,213 archaeological objects recorded under the Scheme, including 27,280 objects found in Norfolk (40% of the national total). Recent finds include:- Gold solidus of Valentinian II AD 388-92 (West Norfolk), an important addition to the very small series of individual finds of Roman gold coins Three more Anglo-Saxon inhumation cemeteries (Broadland, Breckland and West Norfolk), all further evidence of the continuing damage by agriculture to archaeological sites Parts of two Late Saxon brooches imitating Dirhems, 9th or 10th century Islamic silver coins (North Norfolk and West Norfolk). These have not been recognised in the county before, though coins imitative of English and Roman coins are known. A 12th century Romanesque candlestick (Breckland); a very important object, probably from a church or high status dwelling. Building Recording One of the most interesting discoveries has been at Hemblington where Gables Farmhouse bears a date of 1731 but has long been suspected of having an older core. Examination of the interior revealed a queen post roof structure of late medieval date indicating a first-floor hall. A more unexpected discovery was Ringers Farm at Colby where a remarkably intact early 17th century farmhouse of unusual plan, with an original stair and dairy projection, has now been put forward for Listing. This has also happened in the case of the Old Rectory at Winfarthing, a timber framed building of around 1600 divided up into cottages in the 19th century and retaining evidence of both periods. Works involving churches have included Gunton where the roof of the Adam church was examined, and Hales during repairs to the round tower to permit bell ringing. During floor repairs at Thurning where the church contains the furnishings of Corpus Christi Chapel, Cambridge, demolished in the 1830s, large quantities of unusual worked stone were found used as supports that may also have come from that source. An examination of the church at Westacre which has in the past been described as a medieval structure altered in the 17th century, resulted in the conclusion that the entire building is a reconstruction of 1638 in a backward-looking Gothic style. The Great Yarmouth Archaeological Map The GYAM drilling program has been completed: a total of 142 boreholes were drilled within the town walls, to an average depth of 4.7m. The majority of these have been analysed, entered into the project database and incorporated into a 3D model of the archaeological deposits underneath the town centre. The deposit model will be finished when the results of analysis of the final 30 boreholes is completed. Waterlogged wood recovered from boreholes is being examined with a view to determining its species, origin and method of working. The origin of the wood may give some clues as to its purpose, and how it came to lie over 4.5m below the pavements of the modern town. GYAM staff have carried out research into the examination of urban archaeological deposits by ground penetrating radar. Analysis of the data is ongoing. The project website has been expanded, and now incorporates details of the model and how it is made, together with animations showing the formation of the land around Great Yarmouth. This website will continue as an online, active newsletter until the final webpages go active. Texts for the final web page and the report are in preparation. See http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/default.asp?Document=600.37 Norfolk Historic Landscape Characterisation The HLC project currently stands at 34,870 records created and digitised. Recent progress has included completion of North Norfolk and a start in south Breckland and South Norfolk. The next six months should see work in both these districts completed. The completion of North Norfolk has shown that many of the characteristics already evident nearer to the coast continue further inland and include a mixture of enclosure by agreement and piecemeal parliamentary enclosure. Other than in a few parishes, such as Briston and Saxthorpe, very little medieval enclosure seems to have survived and most parishes have been subject to continuing landscape change from the tithe maps until 2004. Settlement is mainly nucleated and parkland was widespread and comparatively large in scale, reflecting the number of great estates to be found here. The 5km square strip in South Norfolk that has been looked at from Arminghall to Brockdish has shown of number of landscape characteristics that distinguish it from the other areas of Norfolk previously examined. In general the pattern of settlements is more dispersed with more isolated small farm clusters and less nucleated settlements, broadly fitting the pattern of ‘Ancient Countryside’ that would also include a greater occurrence of pasture land and a higher survival of earlier boundaries. The majority of the parishes examined have shown little change in the landscape until the 2004 map, the only large-scale exceptions being the airfields constructed for the USAAF in the 1940s and post-war housing developments. History Fair - 29 May 2006 at Gressenhall NLA staff will be manning a stand in the marquee, as well as holding ‘open house’ in the Norfolk Historic Environment Record (NHER). Visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in an interactive walk around Union Farm. The walk will incorporate the use of historic maps and aerial photographs to explore the archaeology and landscape history of the farm. National Archaeology Week 2006 NLA staff will be involved in running events to celebrate National Archaeology Week at Gressenhall Farm, Workhouse and Museum. Nationally Archaeology Week will run from 15th July to the 23rd July 2006. Unfortunately this does not correspond to school holidays in Norfolk and so our Archaeology Week events have been timed for a week later: 24th to 28th July 2006. The Norfolk Heritage Explorer team are leading on both these events. Contact Megan Dennis or Sarah Spooner for more information (01362 869389). Text Box: Q62 INDEX