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Norfolk Heritage Explorer

Record Details

NHER Number:	10657
Type of record:	Monument
Name:	Possible Roman tile kiln and Early Saxon cemetery on Pewter Hill

Summary

Workmen working on Pewter Hill before 1855 found human bones, spearheads, a buckle and two swords. These may be the remains of an Early Saxon cemetery. Later an oven or kiln made of Roman tiles was also discovered. Excavations at the site recovered animal bones and several fragments of Roman pottery. The hill may also have been the location of a post medieval brickworks. The exact locations of these excavations are unclear.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:	TM 3737 9334
Map Sheet:	TM39SE
Parish:	KIRBY CANE, SOUTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Full description

'Many years ago' in 1855 and 'since that time'.
'On Pewter Hill' (name now marked on (S1) at 373 933 centred, but extending over large area).
'Some workmen who many years ago were digging a ditch in a field called Pewter Hill came upon a confused mass of human bones, among which were three or four spearheads, a jewelled buckle and two swords.'

(S2) says the whole of these objects were unfortunately dispersed but they are believed to have been Roman. Since that time a kind of oven or kiln of Roman tiles has been found on the same hill but it was broken up before I could see it. In some excavations which I made upon the same spot, I turned up a considerable number of the bones and teeth of animals, and several fragments of blue, brown and black Roman pottery. It goes on to ask if Pewter Hill could be corruption of Potters Hill from the sherds.
See (S2).

(S3) gives garbled condensed version of above, but also implies objects found in a brickfield - note that 'kiln' is said to have been found on same hill, not same spot, as burial.

(S4) suggests first finds as Early Saxon burial. R.R. Clarke (NCM) notes that 'RAS' has suggested Saxon date.

Note: see NHER 12380, fieldwalking of central part of hill, no Roman or Early Saxon finds.
E. Rose (NAU), 18 August 1986.

But Roman finds from NHER 12380 in 1987.

And Early Saxon ?inhumation evidence from NHER 12380 context 5 in 1988.
E. Rose (NAU), 28 October 1988.

Monument Types

FINDSPOT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
TILE KILN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FINDSPOT (Early Saxon - 410 AD to 650 AD)
INHUMATION (Early Saxon - 410 AD to 650 AD)
BRICKWORKS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

ANIMAL REMAINS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BUCKLE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
HUMAN REMAINS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
SPEAR (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
SWORD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
TILE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
ANIMAL REMAINS (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
BUCKLE (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
HUMAN REMAINS (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
POT (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
SPEAR (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
SWORD (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
TILE (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)

Protected Status - none

Sources and further reading

---	Article in Serial: Fox, G. E. 1889. Roman Norfolk. The Archaeological Journal. Vol XLVI pp 331-367. p 362.
---	Monograph: 1901. The Victoria History of Norfolk. The Victoria History of the Counties of England. Vol 1. p 339.
---	Article in Serial: 1930. [unknown]. Y Cymmroder. p 318.
---	Article in Serial: Penn, K. and Ashley, S. 2003. Two Early Saxon Cemeteries in South Norfolk. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XLIV Pt II pp 304-315.
---	Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---	Publication: Rye, W. 1916. Roman Camps and Remains in Norfolk. p 46.
---	Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Roman. Kirby Cane.
---	Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Early Saxon. Kirby Cane.
<S1>	Map: Ordnance Survey, First Edition, 6 Inch. 1879-1886. Ordnance Survey 1st Edition 6 inch map..
<S2>	Article in Serial: Chester, G. J.. 1855. A Brief Sketch of the Antiquities of the Valleys of the Waveney and Yare. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol IV pp 310-316. p 313.
<S3>	Article in Serial: King, S. W. 1864. Notes on a Roman Kiln and Urns, Found at Hedenham, near Bungay. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol VI pp 149-160. pp 151-152.
<S4>	Article in Serial: Clarke, R. R. 1940. Norfolk in the Dark Ages, 400-800 A.D., Part II. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXVII Pt II pp 215-249. pp 224-225.

Related records

12380	Related to: Early Saxon cemetery (Monument)
23755	Related to: Early Saxon cemetery and multi-period finds (Monument)