Early Prehistoric Settlement, Field Systems and Enclosure, at Ormesby St Michael, Norfolk

Between 18th January and 19th February 2010, Oxford Archaeology East carried out an Archaeological Excavation at Ormesby St. Michael, Norfolk. This followed an evaluation carried out in December 2009. The excavation uncovered two Early Neolithic pits and several tree throws containing Mildenhall type pottery and struck flint. In addition Middle Bronze Age field systems and a large enclosure of the same date were recorded. This is the first time that a large open area excavation has been carried out on a Bronze Age field system in this region. Structural features recorded on the site have been dated by pottery and radiocarbon to the Middle Bronze Age. Such securely dated Middle Bronze Age structures are rare in Britain, and extremely rare in east Norfolk. A significant Bronze Age lithic assemblage was recovered along with pottery, loom weights and a Middle Bronze Age whetstone. Later field systems re-cut the Bronze Age enclosure, and while their date is uncertain they may represent a Middle/Late Iron Age reoccupation of the area.