Burnham Overy Habitat Creation Scheme, Norfolk- Geoarchaeological Investigation

Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) was commissioned by the Environment Agency to undertake a geoarchaeological investigation on land adjacent to the River Burn near Burnham Overy, Norfolk (centred NGR TF 837 432). The land is proposed for a habitat creation scheme, with five reedbeds comprising open water areas excavated, and any clay removed used to construct water-retaining banks.

The site covers an area of approximately @ km by @ km, and is situated on the floodplain of the River Burn. Due to the site being within an area of high archaeological potential, an assessment of the impact of the proposed development on any archaeological remains was required, prior to the commencement of any construction works.

The main objective of the geoarchaeological investigation was to characterise the sequence and patterns of accumulation across the site in relation to potential land surfaces/buried soils and localised features, such as topographic highs or palaeochannels. In addition, the investigations sought to identify the location and extent of any waterlogged organic deposits, and to clarify the relationship between sediment sequences and other deposit types.