A Roman farmstead at Plot 2b, Broadland Gate, Norwich

Between 29th March and 16th April 2021, Oxford Archaeology East conducted an archaeological excavation at Plot 2b, Broadland Gate, Norwich, Norfolk (TG 2902 0906). The excavation formed one part of a wider programme of archaeological works associated with the Broadland Gate development and revealed significant remains dating to the Roman period.
The excavation uncovered a series of east to west aligned field system ditches which produced pottery dated to the Early Roman period. A number of pits and postholes, although poorly dated, were probably contemporary with this field boundary system. Evidence for slightly later, Middle to Late Roman, activity was also identified taking place within the boundaries of the earlier field system, including at least three corn dryers and a well. These features produced material which probably derived from a nearby farmstead, including animal bone, fired clay, two copper-alloy bracelets and a substantial assemblage of Mid-Late Roman pottery including some imported wares of central Gaulish Samian and south Spanish amphora. The relatively large assemblage of finds recovered from the site reflects a fairly affluent, well-connected, agrarian community that was established in the Early Roman period but flourished between the mid-2nd and mid-3rd centuries AD, with artefact deposition diminishing during the 4th century AD. Evidence for later activity and land use was restricted to a single post-medieval ditch representing a potential roadside boundary ditch shown on 19th century maps of the site.
The features identified at the site and their associated finds assemblages make a major contribution to the record of Roman activity within the Broadland Gate development area which, in combination with the results of other associated archaeological investigations, have considerable potential to contribute to understandings of Roman rural settlement and economy in the region.