Barrow Excavations in Norfolk, 1984-88

108 Pages·1996·21.617 MB·English

by  John J. Wymer

BARROW EXCAVATIONS
IN NORFOLK,
1984-88
East Anglian Archaeology
Field Archaeology Division, Norfolk Museums Service 1996
East Anglian Archaeology No.40, 1988 Suffolk: Burgh: The Iron Age and Roman Enclosure
No.41, 1988 Essex: Excavations at Great Dunmow, Essex: a
is a serial publication sponsored by the Scole Archaeological Committee. Romano-British small town in the Trinovantian Civitas
The Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex Units, the Norwich Survey and the No.42, 1988 Essex: Archaeology and Environment in South Essex,
Fenland Project all contribute volumes to the series. It is the main vehicle Rescue Archaeology along the Gray's By-pass
for publishing final reports on archaeological excavations and surveys in 1979-80
the region. Copies and information about the contents of all volumes can No.43, 1988 Essex: Excavation at the North Ring, Mucking, Essex:
be obtained from: A Late Bronze Age Enclosure
Centre of East Anglian Studies, No.44, 1988 Norfolk: Six Deserted Villages in Norfolk
University of East Anglia, No.45, 1988 Norfolk: The Fenland Project No. 3: Marshland and
Norwich, NR4 7TJ the Nar Valley, Norfolk
No.46, 1989 Norfolk: The Deserted Medieval Village of Thuxton,
or directly from the Archaeology Unit publishing a particular volume. Norfolk
Reports available so far: No.47, 1989 Suffolk: West Stow, Suffolk: Early Anglo-Saxon
No. I, 1975 Suffolk: various papers Animal Husbandry
No.2, 1976 Norfolk: various papers No.48, 1989 Suffolk: West Stow, Suffolk: The Prehistoric and
No.3, 1977 Suffolk: various papers Romano-British Occupations
No.4, 1976 Norfolk: Late Saxon town of Thetford No.49, 1990 Norfolk: The Evolution of Settlement in Three
No.5, 1977 Norfolk: various papers on Roman sites Parishes in South-East Norfolk
No.6, 1977 Norfolk: Spong Hill Anglo-Saxon cemetery No.50, 1993 Proceedings of the Aatlands and Wetlands Conference
No.7, 1978 Norfolk: Bergh Apton Anglo-Saxon cemetery No.51, 1991 Norfolk: The Ruined and Disused Churches of Norfolk
No.8, 1978 Norfolk: various papers No.52, 1991 Norfolk: The Fenland Project No. 4, The Wissey
No.9, 1980 Norfolk: North Elmham Park Embayment and Fen Causeway
No.IO, 1980 Norfolk: village sites in Launditch Hundred No.53, 1992 Norfolk: Excavations in Thetford, 1980-82, Fison Way
No. I!, 1981 Norfolk: Spong Hill, Part 11 No.54, 1992 Norfolk: The Iron Age Forts of Norfolk
No.l2, 1981 The barrows of East Anglia No.55, 1992 Lincolnshire: The Fenland Project No.5: Lincolnshire
No.l3, 1981 Norwich: Eighteen centuries of pottery from Norwich Survey, The South-West Fens
No.l4, 1982 Norfolk: various papers No.56, 1992 Cambridgeshire: The Fenland Project No.6: The
No.15, 1982 Norwich: Excavations in Norwich 1971-1978; Part I South-Western Cambridgeshire Fens
No.16, 1982 Norfolk: Beaker domestic sites in the Fen-edge and No.57, 1993 Norfolk and Lincolnshire: Excavations at Redgate Hill
East Anglia Hunstanton; and Tattershall Thorpe
No.l7, 1983 Norwich: Waterfront excavations and Thetford-type No.58, 1993 Norwich: Households: The Medieval and
Ware production, Norwich Post-Medieval Finds from Norwich Survey
No.18, 1983 Norfolk: The archaeology of Witton Excavations 1971-1978
No.l9, 1983 Norfolk: Two post-medieval earthenware pottery No.59, 1993 Fenland: The South-West Fen Dyke Survey Project
groups from Fulmodeston 1982-1986
No.20, 1983 Norfolk: Burgh Castle: excavation by Charles Green, No.60, 1993 Norfolk: Caister-on-Sea: Excavations by Charles
1958-{51 Green, 1951-55
No.2l, 1984 Norfolk: Spong Hill, Part Ill No.6l, 1993 Fenland: The Fenland Project No.7: Excavations in
No.22, 1984 Norfolk: Excavations in Thetford, 1948-59 and Peterborough and the Lower Welland Valley
1973-80 1960-1969
No.23, 1985 Norfolk: Excavations at Brancaster 1974 and 1977 No.62, 1993 Norfolk: Excavations in Thetford by B.K. Davison,
No.24, 1985 Suffolk: West Stow, the Anglo-Saxon village between 1964 and 1970
No.25, 1985 Essex: Excavations by Mr H.P.Cooper on the Roman No.63, 1993 Norfolk: Illington: A Study of a Breckland Parish and
site at Hill Farm, Gestingthorpe, Essex its Anglo-Saxon Cemetery
No.26, 1985 Norwich: Excavations in Norwich 1971-78; Part li No.64, 1994 Norfolk: The Late Saxon and Medieval Pottery
No.27, 1985 Cambridgeshire: The Fenland Project No.!: Industry of Grimston: Excavations 1962-92
Archaeology and Environment in the Lower Welland No.65, 1993 Suffolk: Settlements on Hill-tops: Seven Prehistoric
valley Sites in Suffolk
No.28, 1985 Norwich: Excavations within the north-east bailey of No.66, 1993 Lincolnshire: The Fenland Project No.8: Lincolnshire
Norwich Castle, 1978 Survey, the Northern Fen-Edge
No.29, 1986 Norfolk: Barrow excavations in Norfolk, 1950-82 No.67, 1994 Norfolk: The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Spong Hill,
No.30, 1986 Norfolk: Excavations at Thomham, Warham, Wighton North E1rnham, Part V: Catalogue of Cremations
and Caistor St. Edmund, Norfolk No.68, 1994 Norwich: Excavations at Fishergate, Norwich 1985
No.31, 1986 Norfolk: Settlemeot, religion and industry on the No.69, 1994 Norfolk: The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Spong Hill,
Fen-edge; three Romano-British sites in Norfolk North Elrnham, Part VIII: The Cremations
No.32, 1987 Norfolk: Three Norman Churches in Norfolk No.70, 1994 Fenland: The Fenland Project No.9: Flandrian
No.33, 1987 Essex: Excavation of a Cropmark Enclosure Complex Envrionmental Change in Fenland
at Woodham Waiter, Essex, 1976 and An Assessment No.? I, 1995 Essex: The Archaeology of the Essex Coast Vol.!: The
of Excavated Enclosures in Essex Hullbridge Survey Project
No.34, 1987 Norfolk: The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Spong Hill, No.72, 1995 Norfolk: Excavations at Redcastle Furze, Thetford,
North Elmham, Part IV: Catalogue of Cremations 1988-9
No.35, 1987 Cambridgeshire: The Fenland Project No.2: Fenland No.73, 1995 Norfolk: The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Spong Hill,
Landscapes and Settlement between Peterborough and North Elmham, Part VII: Iron Age, Roman and Early
March Saxon Settlement
No.36, 1987 Norfolk: The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at No.74, 1995 Norfolk: A Late Neolithic, Saxon and Medieval Site at
Morningthorpe: Catalogue Middle Harling
No.37, 1987 Norwich: Excavations at St Martin-at-Palace Plain, No.75, 1995 Essex: North Shoebury: Settlement and Economy in
Norwich, 1981 South-east Essex 1500-AD1500
No.38, 1987 Suffolk: The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Westgarth No.76, 1996 Nene Valley: Orton Hall Farm: A Roman and Early
Gardens, Bury St Edmunds: Catalogue Anglo-Saxon Farmstead
No.39, 1988 ·Norfolk: The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Spong Hill, No.77, 1996 Norfolk: Barrow Excavations in Norfolk, 1984-88
North Elrnham, Norfolk, Part VI: Occupation during
the 7th-2nd millennia BC
I
!
EAST ANGLIAN ARCHAEOLOGY

Barrow
Excavations
in Norfolk,
1984-88
by J. J. Wymer
with contributions from
Alison Cameron, Charles French,
David Gurney, Prances Healy,
Jacqueline McKinley, Peter Murphy and
Robert Scaife
illustrations by
Steven Ashley, Prances Healy,
Margaret Mathews, Hoste Spalding and
John Wymer
and photographs by
Derek Edwards, Ken Wallis,
David Wicks and John Wymer
East Anglian Archaeology
Report No. 77, 1996
Field Archaeology Division
Norfolk Museums Service
EAST ANGLIAN ARCHAEOLOGY
REPORTNO. 77
Published by
Field Archaeology Division
Norfolk Museums Service.
Union House
Gressenhall
Dereham
Norfolk NR20 4DR
in conjunction with
The Scole Archaeological Committee
Editor: Peter Wade-Martins
Managing Editor: Jenny Glazebrook
Scole Editorial Sub-committee:
David Buckley, County Archaeologist, Essex Planning Department
Keith Wade, County Archaeological Officer, Suffolk Planning Department
Peter Wade-Martins, County Field Archaeologist, Norfolk Museums Service
Stanley West
Set in Times Roman by Joan Daniells using® Ventura Publisher
Printed by Geerings of Ashford Ltd., Ashford, Kent
©FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY DIVISION, NORFOLK MUSEUMS SERVICE
ISBN 0 905594 19 3
For details of East Anglian Archaeology, see inside front cover
This volume is published with the aid of a grant from English Heritage
Cover:
Aerial photograph of South Acre ring-ditch during excavation
(Photo: Wing Co. Ken Wallis)
Contents
List of Contents V Pre-Iron Age Features 36
List of Plates VI VI. The Artefacts 40
List of Figures vi Flint 40
List of Tables vii Pottery and Fired Clay 46
Contents of Microfiche Vll Iron 51
List of Contributors viii Slag 51
Acknowledgements viii VII. Dating 51
VIII. Phosphate analysis of Soil Samples
from Context 1037, by D. Gurney 52
1. The excavation of a Round Barrow at
IX. Discussion 52
Bawsey, near King's Lynn, 1984,
by J.J. Wymer
I. Summary 1 3. Note on a Ring-Ditch at Lyng Easthaugh,
II. The Site 1 by J .J. Wymer
m. The Excavation 2 I. Summary 54
Method 2 II. Rescue Excavation 54
The Mound· 3 III. The Artefacts 54
The Outer Bank 4 Flint 54
The Ditch 4 Burnt Clay 54
The Primary Grave 5 Comments on the finds 54
The Satellite Burial 7 IV. Discussion 55
The Secondary Cremations 7
IV. The Artefacts 16
Flint 16 4. The Excavation of a Ring-Ditch at South
Pottery 1G
Acre, by J.J. Wymer
Bone 19
I. Summary 58
V. Soil Analysis of the Mound, Outer Bank
II. The Site 58
and Associated Buried Soils,
by C.A.I. French 19 Ill. The Excavation 61
Particle size and micromorphological analyses (mi- Mt:UtuJ G1
crofiche) The Ditch 61
VI. Pollen Analysis of Bawsey Bronze Age Internal features 64
Barrow, by R. Scaife 21 External features (excluding graves) 67
VII. The Cremated Human Bones, The graves 67
by A. Cameron 24 IV. The Artefacts 69
VIII. Report on the Environmental Samples, Iron 69
by P. Murphy 24 Amber 69
IX. Dating 26 Glass 69
X. Discussion and Conclusions 26 Flint 70
Pottery 71
Zoological and Botanical 72
2. Neolithic and Bronze Age Activity and
V. The Human Bone, by J.l. McKinley 76
Settlement at Longham and Beeston with
Methods 76
Bittering, by J.J. Wymer and F. Healy Results 76
I. Summary 28 Discussion 76
II. Introduction 28 VI. Interpretation and Dating 87
III. Excavation of the Longham Mound Pre-ring-ditch activity 87
-Site 7239 32 The ring-ditch 87
Method 32 The Saxon graves 88
Composition of the Mound 35 Appendix I Numbering of skeletons as published
Features within the Mound 35 related to context numbers of
IV. Excavation of the Cropmarks at the skeletons and graves (microfiche)
Tarmac Pit, Beeston with Bittering Appendix 11 Skeleton context numbers related to
-Site b21::i Jb published numbers of ~;keletonf:
Method 36 (microfiche)
The Ditches of the Linear Features 36 Appendix III Context numbers of graves related to
Feature 1015 36 context and published numbers of
Pit 1013 36 skeletons within them (microfiche)
V. Survey and Excavation of Areas Bibliography 90
stripped in advance of gravel digging, Index, by P. Gunn 93
by F. Healy 36 Microfiche
V
List of Plates
Bawsey PI. XV Aerial photograph of excavation in
PI.I Bawsey Round Barrow, prior to progress 59
excavation PI. XVI Ditch section, north-west face 64
Pl.II Aerial view of site during PI. XVII Top of oval pit exposed within
excavation 2 ring-ditch 64
PI.III Section across tail of Outer Bank 3 PI. XVIII Coffin burial of Skeleton 111 70
PI.IV Ditch section, south-west quadrant 4 PI. XIX Skeleton 65 with legs under body 73
PI. V Ditch section, north-east quadrant 5 PI. XX Skeleton 98 with head detached 73
PI. VI Stain of bier within grave pit 6 PI.XXI Skeleton 59 extended burial 74
PI. VII Stain of base of bier within grave PI. XXII Skeleton 126 lying on side 74
pit 6 PI.XXIII Skeletons 99 and 100, extended
PI. VIII Cremation pit 1102 7 double burial 75
Pl.IX Cremation within inverted Collared PI. XXIV Skeletons 62, 63 and 64, extended
Urn in situ 19 triple burial 75
PI. XXV Skeleton 53, osteochondritis
Longham and Beeston with Bittering
dissecans in femoral medial
PI. X Longham Mound prior to
condyles 84
excavation 31
PI .XXVI Skeleton 62, fusion of lumbar
PI. XI Aerial view of excavation of
vertebrae 85
Longham Mound in progress 31
PI. XXVII Skeleton 62, lytic lesions in lower
PI .XII Gravel intrusion into body of
thoracic vertebrae 84
Longham Mound 35
PI. XXVIII Skeleton 64, osteophytes on foot
PI. XIII Beaker in situ within body of the
bones 84
Longham Mound 46
PI. XXIX Skeleton 86, fusion of thoracic
South Acre vertebrae 85
PI. XIV Vertical aerial photograph of South PI.XXX Skeleton 107, periostitis of tibia
Acre ring-ditches in 1933 59 and fibula 85
List of Figures
Bawsey Longham and Beeston with Bittering
Fig.1 Location plan of Bawsey Round Fig.19 Location plan of Longham Mound
Barrow X and excavated areas north and
Fig.2 Plan of excavation site 8 south of Salter's Lane 29
Fig.3 Plan of site with excavation features 9 Fig.20 Location plan of Longham Mound
Fig.4 Contour plan 10 and area east of Reed's Lane 30
Fig.5 Sections across the Mound, Ditch Fig.21 Contour plan of Long ham Mound
and Outer Bank 11 showing position of all cuttings 32
Fig.6 Section across Outer Bank 11 Fig.22 Sections across the Longham
Fig.7 Detail of section across Outer Bank 12 Mound 33
Fig.8 Detail of section across Ditch on Fig.23 Plan of Site 15275 Beeston with
south-east 12 Bittering 37
Fig.9 Ditch section on west 12 Fig.24 Area of commercial removal of
Fig.10 Ditch section on north 12 topsoil in advance of gravel
Fig.11 Ditch section on east 13 quarrying, east of the Longham
Fig.12 Plans of Primary Grave during Mound 38
initial stages of excavation 14 Fig.25 Plans and sections of truncated pits
Fig.13 Plans of Primary Grave during within area of commercial topsoil
final stages of excavation 15 removal, east of the Long ham
Fig.14 Flint artefacts and bone bead 16 Mound 39
Fig.l5 Beaker found on stripped land Fig.26 Plans and sections of Site 13023
surface beneath the Mound 17
Beeston with Bittering 40
Fig.16 Collared Urn from within body of
Fig.27 Plan of pits at Site 15995 Beeston
Mound 18
with Bittering 41
Fig.17 Pottery 20
Fig.28 Sections of pits at Site 15995
Fig.18 Pollen diagram through Outer Bank 22
Beeston with Bittering 41
Fig.29 Flint artefacts 44
VI
Fig.30 Site 15995: characteristics of flakes Fig.39 Plan of ring-ditch showing internal
and scrapers 45 features and possible prehistoric
Fig.31 Pottery, Longham 47 burials in ditch 63
Fig.32 Pottery, Beeston with Bittering 50 Fig.40 Ditch sections 4 and 14 65
Fig.41 Ditch section 18 and section of Pit
Lyng Easthaugh
1020 66
Fig.33 Location plan 55
Fig.42 Section of Pit 1121 67
Fig.34 Plan of ring-ditch 56
Fig.43 Plan of features external to the
Fig.35 Ditch sections 57
ring-ditch 68
South Acre Fig.44 Sections of features external to the
Fig.36 Location plan with known barrows ring-ditch 69
and ring-ditches at South Acre and Fig.45 Plan of all human burials found in
in surrounding area 60 the South Acre ring-ditch (inside
Fig.37 Map of ring-ditches at South Acre 61 back pocket)
Fig.38 Contour plan 62 Fig.46 Small finds 72
List of Tables
Bawsey Table 10 Catalogue of illustrated lithic
Table 1 Percentages of sand, silt, clay and material 43
gravel in the soil samples Table 11 Flints from the ploughsoil and
(microfiche) body of the Longham Mound
Table 2 Statistical information for the sand (microfiche)
fraction of each sample in the Table 12 Sherds from the ploughsoil and
particle size analysis (microfiche) body of the Longham Mound
Table 3 The results for the cremations 24 (microfiche)
Table4 Sample of 'organic stains' 25 '!able 13 Pre-Iron Age pottery (microfiche)
Table 5 Charcoal collected by hand during Table 14 Summary of pre-Iron Age pottery 48
excavation 25 Table 15 Phosphate analyses from the
Table 6 Charcoal identified in soil samples 25 Longham Mound (microfiche)
South Acre
Longham and Beeston with Bittering Table 16 Worked flints 71
Table 7 Pre-Iron Age features (microfiche) Table 17 Results of human bone
Table 8 Summary of lithic material 43 identifications 77
Table 9 Lithic material (microfiche) Table 18 Age and sex of individuals 82
Contents of Microfiche
Bawsey Table 12 Sherds from the ploughsoil and
V. Particle Size and body of the Longham Mound
Micromorphological Analyses, Table 13 Pre-Iron Age pottery
by C.A.I. French Table 15 Phosphate analyses from the
Table 1 Percentages of sand, silt, clay and Longham Mound
gravel in the soil samples
South Acre
Table 2 Statistical information for the sand
Appendix I Numbering of skeletons as published
fraction of each sample in the
related to context numbers of
particle size analysis
skeletons and graves
Longham and Beeston with Bittering Appendix II Skeleton context numbers related to
Table 7 Pre-Iron Age features published numbers of skeletons
T~hiP Q T. ithir. mr~tf:riill Appendix Ill Context numbers of graves related to
Table 11 Flints from the ploughsoil and context and published numbers of
body of the Longham Mound skeletons within them
Vll
Contributors
Steven J. Ashley, F.C.S.D., A.I.F.A. Jacqueline I. McKinley, B.Tech., F.S.A.(Scot.), M.I.F.A.
Illustrator, Norfolk Archaeological Unit Osteoarchaeologist, Wessex Archaeology
Alison Cameron, Peter Murphy, B.Sc., M.Phil.
Human skeletal biologist Environmental Archaeologist, Centre of East Anglian
Studies, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ
Charles A.I. French, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., M.I.F.A.
Department of Archaeology, Downing Street, Cambridge Robert Scaife, B.Sc., Ph.D.
Environmental Archaeologist, Quaternary Environmental
David Gurney, B.A., M.I.F.A.
Change Research Centre, Department of Geography,
Principal Landscape Archaeologist, Norfolk Landscape
University of Southampton, Southampton
Archaeology
Hoste Spalding, Dip.Memb. S.I.A.D.
Frances Healy, B.Sc.(Econ.), Ph.D., F.S.A., M.I.F.A.
formerly Illustrator, Norfolk Archaeological Unit
Freelance Prehistorian
John J. Wymer, M.A., D.Sc., F.S.A., M.I.F.A.
Margaret Mathews, B.A., Dip. Archaeol., M.A.A.I.S.
formerly Field Officer for Prehistory, Norfolk
formerly Illustrator, Norfolk Archaeological Unit Archaeological Unit
Acknowledgements
Bawsey David Gurney for his phosphate analysis and to Frances
We wish to thank Mr Roderick Bradfer-Lawrence for Healy for her major contribution in relating much of the
permission to excavate and his co-operation in removing material in the adjacent features to the discoveries made
trees, supplying water and assisting in many ways; the site during earlier rescue work nearby undertaken by Andrew
supervisors, Graham Joyce and Susan Flack; the MSC Rogerson and herself from 1978. The figures were drawn
excavation team, Colin Austin, Pat Ellis, Steven English, by Hoste Spalding and Margaret Mathews.
Mike Hebden, Clive Image, Roy Kadalski, Glen Kirk, Lyng Easthaugh
Alan Macleod, Thea Nichols, Martin Spillett, Janet Stoke We wish to thank Mr E.L. Brigham and Redland
and Simon Wexler; all the specialists who have Aggregates Ltd forgiving us permission to conduct rescue
contributed to the report, especially Dr Charles French on excavations on the ring-ditch exposed by surface
the soils (who also expresses his thanks to Dr R.l. stripping. The site was supervised by Graham Joyce and
Macphail), Dr Rob Scaife on the pollen, Dr Jennifer the following MSC team, to all of whom our thanks are
Hillam for comments on the growth pattern of oak expressed: Colin Bannon, Maxine Cornwall, Geoffrey
charcoal, Alison Cameron on the cremated human bones; Cox, Colin Jenner, Joan Lightning, Timothy Mantrip,
Peter Murphy on the environmental samples and Ken Barry Lloyd, Timothy Pearce and Robin Preston. Thanks
Whitaker for his assistance with the pollen preparation. also to Margaret Mathews for the figures.
Thanks are also expressed to Hoste Spalding for drawing
South Acre
the figures.
We are grateful to Mr Charles A. Fountaine for his
Beeston with Bittering 15275 permission to excavate, and to Mr Alan Foster ofNarford
We are grateful to Tarmac Roadstone Ltd for permission Estate Office and Mr J. Joice and Co. Ltd of High House
to excavate the crop-marks ahead of their quarrying, their Farm Litcham, for their co-operation and assistance in
grant towards the cost of the work and the use of a organising the timing of the work so as to minimise the
mechanical excavator. The co-operation of the pit disruption of farming activities. Thanks are also expressed
manager, Mr Terry Riley, was also appreciated. We thank to Middleton Aggregates, especially to Mr J.W. Lemon of
Graham Joyce for supervising the work; assistants, Colin that company and Mr Geoffrey Newton, the pit manager.
Bowyer and Simon Wexler; volunteers, Susan Crook and The MSC team was managed by Neville Guy during the
I van Emson; and Margaret Mathews for the drawing of the first season, and by Simon Jeffery during the second, with
plans and sections. Kelly Corbould as supervisor. All their work is gratefully
Longham Mound acknowledged, as is that of the following members of the
Permission to excavate in advance of gravel quarrying was team who assisted at various times during the course of
kindly given by Mr N. Macleod. We wish to thank Piers the excavation: Susanne Bradley, Michael Brown, Peter
Millington-Wallace and Graham Joyce for managing the Burrell, Andrew Durrant, Stewart Ellison, Jonathan
team and supervising the site; the assistants of the MSC Goodwins, David Gould, George Gray, Alan Heathfield,
team, Colin Bannon, Maxine Cornwall, Gary Gary Hetherington, Paul Holmes, Mike Hum, Nigel
Hetherington, Colin Jenner, Joan Lightning, Barry Lloyd, Mathias, Christine Smith, Magda Staddon and Lucy
Timothy Mantrip, Timothy Pearce, Jenny Sawyer, Martin Talbot. Advice was gratefully received from Dr R.I.
Spiller and Andrew Weir. Thanks are also expressed to Mac ph ail on the soils of the ditch, and from Pat Wiltshire
Vlll