Little Melton to Hethersett pipeline Strip, Map and Sample excavation and watching brief across Prehistoric, Roman and Medieval Norfolk: full report

During October 2014 to January 2015; Oxford Archaeology East undertook two Strip, Map and Sample (SMS) excavations and a watching brief on the Little Melton to Hethersett Pipeline (TG1472 0521 – TG 1624 0779). The southernmost SMS area, at Hethersett, was located close to the site of a probable Roman villa. Pits and ditches associated with Romano-British occupation (broadly dating to the 2nd and 3rd centuries and forming part of a previously known villa complex) were identified within the area. A small Bronze Age pit was also identified, hinting at prehistoric occupation in the vicinity.
The northernmost SMS area was located to the south of All Saints Church, Little Melton. A mixed assemblage of struck flints dated from the Late Palaeolithic/Early Mesolithic onwards and a line of post holes of Romano-British date were excavated. However, the main focus of the site was an area of Late Saxon and early medieval occupation in close proximity to the church. This included a multi-phase building, pits, ditches and a possible trackway. A series of agricultural features including remains of ridge and furrow were also identified. At the southern end of the site a
large ditch was possibly associated with a moated site to the west of the investigation area.
The watching brief area was largely devoid of archaeological features. The only area of note was at the northern end of the pipeline, near Watton Road, where a substantial lithic assemblage was recovered from sampling of probable colluvial deposits, which also produced an assemblage of Iron Age pottery. Although chronologically mixed, the lithic assemblage provides evidence for Neolithic axe manufacture
which can be paralleled at other sites in the local area. In one area this colluvium was found to seal a burnt mound, formed of a dense spread of fire cracked flint and
stone, which sealed, and was associated with, several pit features. No other finds were found in close association with the burnt flint and stone but two radiocarbon dates place this activity in the late third millennium cal BC.