A Middle Bronze Age enclosure and post-medieval activity on land west of Brandon Road, Swaffham, Norfolk

From 17th November to 11th December 2020 Oxford Archaeology East conducted an archaeological excavation at land west of Brandon Road, Swaffham, Norfolk (TF 8183 0725). Two areas were excavated within the development area, and features were recorded dating to the Middle Bronze Age and post-medieval periods.
Area 2 was located in the western part of the development area and revealed a Middle Bronze Age enclosure ditch with associated pits and post-holes. A small quantity of prehistoric pottery and worked flint was recovered from these features and a radiocarbon date on charcoal from the fill of the enclosure ditch yielded a date of 1503 to 1423 cal. BC. Area 1, in the eastern part of the site, revealed ditches, an area of quarry pitting and the remains of a probable hayrick, all dating to the post-medieval period. Very few finds were recovered from the features In Area 2, but the recovery of two shards of post-medieval glass from these features, combined with their location immediately to west of the Brandon Road, confirms a post-medieval date.
Prehistoric pottery spanning the Middle Bronze Age to Middle Iron Age period was recovered in small quantities alongside worked flint, post-medieval glass and a single fragment of animal bone. Some of these finds were recovered from the evaluation phase of work. Preservation of plants remains was poor with only three samples yielding sparse charred cereal grains.
The features identified at the site make a significant contribution to a growing understanding of the surrounding landscape during the Middle Bronze Age period, as well as providing evidence for post-medieval activity.