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Record Details

NHER Number:16297
Type of record:Find Spot
Name:Multi-period finds

Summary

Metal-detecting and fieldwalking between the late 1950s and 2018 recovered prehistoric worked flints (including a Neolithic scraper); Roman, Middle Saxon, Late Saxon, medieval and post-medieval pottery sherds; Roman tile fragments; Roman lava quern; Late Iron Age, Roman, Middle Saxon, Late Saxon, medieval and post-medieval coins (including several that may have been part of a Middle Saxon coin hoard); medieval and post-medieval tokens; medieval to post-medieval jettons and a range of other, undatable and Roman to post-medieval metal objects. These metal finds include an undatable whetstone, weight, spindle whorl and metalworking debris; Roman brooches, a bracelet fragment, finger-ring and part of a spear; Early Saxon dress accessories, tweezers and a shield mount; Middle Saxon pins; a Middle/Late Saxon hooked tag; a Late Saxon brooch and parts of a stirrup; medieval to post-medieval dress accessories; medieval book fittings, seal matrices, an annular brooch, part of a candlestick, mount, coin weight, crucifix fragment, harness pendant, padlock and lead ampulla; medieval/post-medieval copper alloy vessel fragments, 'paper-clip' vessel repair rivets and a needle and a post-medieval brooch, crucifix fragment, thimble, mould and musket ball.
This is also the site of a medieval watermill, shown on Faden's map of 1797.

Images

  • Medieval annular brooch from NHER 16297 © Norfolk County Council
  • Romano-British brooch from NHER 16297 © Norfolk County Council
  • Late Saxon stirrup from NHER 16297 © Norfolk County Council
  • Late Saxon stirrup from NHER 16297 © Norfolk County Council
  • Medieval weight from NHER 16297 © Norfolk County Council
  • Early Saxon buckle from NHER 16297 © Norfolk County Council

Location

Grid Reference:Not displayed
Map Sheet:TF63NE
Parish:HEACHAM, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Full description

1952. Fieldwalking [1a][1b].
Scatter of Roman and Late Saxon (Thetford ware) pottery, including a rouletted bowl rim.
These finds were previously recorded under NHER 1443.
The objects have been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM: 1952.188)
Information from HER Record Notes.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 13 September 2024.

March 1952. Excavation. Context 3.
200 yards (183m) north of Caley Mill (NHER 13131), under the southern bank of the modern backwater.
Refuse pit 90 feet (27.4m) long. Water level reached at a depth of 4 feet (1.2m).
Pit contained:
Late Saxon pottery.
Pieces of animal bone, including a small ovicaprid skull.
Quantities of oyster and mussell shells.
These discoveries were previously recorded under NHER 1442.
The objects have been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM: 1952.86)
Information from HER Record Notes.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 13 September 2024.

1952.
Ploughmen reported a patch "like the floor of a backsmith's shop" located in Torrey's Field, to the north of the March excavation.
Information from HER Record Notes.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 13 September 2024.

1977. Metal-detecting. Context 4.[1][2].
Middle Saxon coins.
Described as two Northumbrian stycas, possibly also a third.
This object was previously recorded under NHER 14095.
Information from HER Record Notes.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 13 September 2024.

1978. Metal-detecting. Context 2 [1].
5 Roman coins
2 rim sherds Roman pottery (3rd-4th century).
Lave quern fragment.
Saxon wristclasp.
3 Late-medieval or post-medieval bronze buckles.
Bronze book clasp.
22 19th-20th century brass buttons.
Several other unidentifiable metal objects (Roman, medieval or post-medieval).
These objects were previously recorded under NHER 13958.
Information from HER Record Notes.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 13 September 2024.

1978. Metal-detecting. Context 1.
Roman? Socketed leaf-shaped iron spearhead.
This object was previously recorded under NHER 13957.
Information from HER Record Notes.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 13 September 2024.

1978. Metal-detecting. Context 1.
2 Roman coins (2nd-1st century BC). Described as French cast potin bull-head coins, ancestors of British potin series.
These objects were previously recorded under NHER 13957.
Information from HER Record Notes.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 13 September 2024.

1980. Fieldwalking and metal-detecting [1].
Iron Age coin (S2); Roman and medieval sherds.

1983. Documentary Research.
Observations of a watermill depicted on Faden's map were originally recorded under this record, as Context 5. This watermill is now recorded under NHER 68611.
Information from HER Recod Notes.
E. Rose 15 July 1983. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 13 September 2024.

1990. Metal-detecting finds.
Middle Saxon coin and metalwork.
Late Saxon and medieval metalwork.

1991. Metal detecting. [3].
Roman to post-medieval pottery, Late Saxon strap-end, Roman coins, Early Saxon buckle.

1992. Metal-detecting. [4].
Iron Age and Roman coin. Roman and medieval sherds, medieval metalwork.

1992-1993. Metal-detecting.
Roman and medieval coins and metalwork.

1995-1997. Metal-detecting.
Roman sherd, Early Saxon shield mount, Late Saxon/medieval/post-medieval metalwork.

See detailed lists and (S4) in file.

March-April 2008. Metal-detecting.
Medieval coin and late post-medieval firearm fitting.
See lists in file.
Site extended, previous area saved as Context 6 [5].
A. Rogerson (NLA), 9 May 2008. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 24 March 2023.

May-June 2008. Metal-detecting.
2 Roman and 1 medieval coin, medieval seal matrix and ampulla.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 11 July 2008.

June-July 2008. Metal-detecting.
1 Roman and 2 medieval coins; a medieval coin weight and strap fitting and a post-medieval button.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 8 September 2008.

June-July 2009. Metal-detecting.
Neolithic scraper, Late prehistoric retouched flake, Roman brooch, mount, medieval strap end, horse harness pendant, medieval/post-medieval vessel leg, undated lead weight, 11 Roman coins and 3 medieval coins.
See list in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 1 September 2009.

August-September 2009. Metal-detecting.
1 imported Iron Age coin, 13 Roman and 4 medieval coins, Romano-British, medieval and post-medieval metal objects, and medieval lead token.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 3 October 2009.

November-December 2010. Metal-detecting.
Roman coin and medieval silver annular brooch.
See lists in file.
The medieval silver brooch was declared Treasure at inquest (Ref: 2011 T21) and subsequently acquired by Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2011.577).
A. Rogerson (HES), 10 January 2011 and E. Darch (HES), 7 March 2011 and 11 November 2011. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 9 June 2020.

February-March 2011. Metal-detecting.
4 Roman and 1 medieval coin, and medieval strap-end.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (HES), 6 April 2011.

September-October 2013. Metal-detecting. [6].
4 Roman coins, 1 pottery sherd and a brooch.
Late Saxon/medieval stirrup-strap mount (S6).
Medieval lead weight and a strap loop.
Information from PAS import.
A. Beckham (HES), 11 November 2013.

November-December 2014. Metal-detecting. [7].
Roman brooches.
Medieval buckle, strap end and mount.
1 medieval/post-medieval jetton.
2 post-medieval coins and a buckle.
Information from PAS import.
Site extended to whole field. Previous extent recorded as Context 6 [8].
A. Beckham (HES), 8 January 2015 and P. Watkins (HES), 1 February 2021.

June-July 2016. Metal-detecting. [9].
9 Roman coins.
Middle/Late Saxon hooked tag.
6 medieval coins, 2 pottery sherds, buckles, strap-ends, a strap loop and book clasp fragment.
Medieval/post-medieval 'paper-clip' vessel-repair rivets.
1 post-medieval coin.
Information from PAS import.
A. Beckham (HES), 3 August 2016.

July-September 2016. Metal-detecting. [10].
1 Late Iron Age coin.
25 Roman coins.
Early Saxon buckle (S8).
Middle Saxon silver gilt pin.
1 Late Saxon coin.
6 medieval coins, buckles, a strap-end and folding strap clasp.
Medieval/post-medieval needle and 'paper-clip' vessel repair rivet.
1 post-medieval coin, 1 jetton, 1 token and hooked tag.
Information from PAS import.
The Middle Saxon silver pin was submitted as possible Treasure (Ref: 2016 T750).
A. Beckham (HES), 1 October 2016. Amended by E. McDonald (HES), 1 July 2019 and P. Watkins (HES), 8 January 2024.

January-March 2018. Metal-detecting. [11].
5 Roman coins.
1 medieval coin, buckles (including a fine unusual example decorated with a possible human head (S7)) and a padlock.
Information from PAS import.
The following object is not recorded on the PAS database:
Medieval strap fitting.
E. McDonald (HES), 2 April 2018 and P. Watkins (HES), 1 February 2021.

Monument Types

  • FEATURE (Unknown date)
  • FINDSPOT (Unknown date)
  • SITE (Unknown date)
  • FINDSPOT (Late Prehistoric - 4000 BC to 42 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
  • FINDSPOT (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Late Iron Age - 100 BC to 42 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Early Saxon - 410 AD to 650 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Middle Saxon to Late Saxon - 651 AD to 1065 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Late Saxon to Medieval - 851 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
  • SITE (placename, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

  • METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Undated)
  • SPINDLE WHORL (Undated)
  • WEIGHT (Undated)
  • WHETSTONE (Undated)
  • RETOUCHED FLAKE (Late Prehistoric - 4000 BC to 42 AD)
  • SCRAPER (TOOL) (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
  • COIN (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • COIN (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • COIN (Late Iron Age - 30 BC to 10 BC)
  • BRACELET (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 150 AD)
  • BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 65 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • FINGER RING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • QUERN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • SPEAR (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • TILE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Roman - 50 AD to 120 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 138 AD to 260 AD)
  • BROOCH (Roman - 150 AD to 250 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 260 AD to 268 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 260 AD to 268 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 269 AD to 271 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 286 AD to 293 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 296 AD to 305 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 320 AD to 321 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 320 AD to 330 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 323 AD to 324 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 324 AD to 325 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 330 AD to 335 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 330 AD to 335 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 330 AD to 335 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 330 AD to 341 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 330 AD to 348 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 330 AD to 348 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 330 AD to 364 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 330 AD to 402 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 335 AD to 341 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 335 AD to 341 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 335 AD to 341 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 335 AD to 348 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 337 AD to 341 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 337 AD to 341 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 341 AD to 348 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 341 AD to 348 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 341 AD to 348 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 343 AD to 348 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 348 AD to 350 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 348 AD to 350 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 350 AD to 351 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 351 AD to 353 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 351 AD to 353 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 353 AD to 364 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 353 AD to 364 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 353 AD to 364 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 355 AD to 361 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 355 AD to 361 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 364 AD to 375 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 364 AD to 378 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 367 AD to 375 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 367 AD to 375 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 388 AD to 402 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • INSCRIBED OBJECT (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • SHIELD (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • SLEEVE CLASP (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • TWEEZERS (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Early Saxon to Middle Saxon - 580 AD to 800 AD)
  • COIN (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • COIN HOARD (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • PIN (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • POT (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • HOOKED TAG (Middle Saxon to Medieval - 700 AD to 1100 AD)
  • PIN (Middle Saxon - 700 AD to 800 AD)
  • ANIMAL REMAINS (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • BROOCH (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • MOLLUSCA REMAINS (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • POT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • STIRRUP (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • STIRRUP (Late Saxon to Medieval - 1000 AD to 1100 AD)
  • COIN (Late Saxon - 1003 AD to 1009 AD)
  • AMPULLA (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • ANNULAR BROOCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BOOK FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BROOCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • CANDLESTICK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN WEIGHT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • CRUCIFIX (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HARNESS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HARNESS PENDANT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • MOUNT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PENDANT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • SEAL MATRIX (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • SEAL MATRIX (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP END (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • TOKEN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • VESSEL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • VESSEL (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
  • MOUNT (Medieval - 1070 AD to 1140 AD)
  • PADLOCK (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1200 AD)
  • POT (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1500 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1300 AD)
  • WEIGHT (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1300 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1136 AD to 1145 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1150 AD to 1400 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1180 AD to 1300 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1180 AD to 1300 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1180 AD to 1210 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1185 AD to 1189 AD)
  • BOOK FITTING (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1300 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1300 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1300 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1400 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1400 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1400 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1205 AD to 1210 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1270 AD to 1400 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1279 AD to 1302 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1400 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1300 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1310 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1310 AD)
  • NEEDLE (Medieval to 16th Century - 1300 AD to 1600 AD)
  • RIVET (Medieval to 17th Century - 1300 AD to 1700 AD)
  • RIVET (Medieval to 17th Century - 1300 AD to 1700 AD)
  • RIVET (Medieval to 17th Century - 1300 AD to 1700 AD)
  • STRAP END (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1400 AD)
  • STRAP END (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1400 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1400 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1305 AD to 1306 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1307 AD to 1309 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1307 AD to 1309 AD)
  • STRAP END (Medieval - 1325 AD to 1500 AD)
  • STRAP END (Medieval - 1400 AD to 1500 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1461 AD to 1483 AD)
  • JETTON (Medieval to 16th Century - 1500 AD to 1584 AD)
  • COIN (16th Century - 1508 AD to 1509 AD)
  • BROOCH (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BUTTON (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BUTTON (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • CRUCIFIX (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • FIREARM (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • HARNESS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • HOOKED TAG (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • KNIFE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • MOULD (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • MUSKET BALL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • RING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • THIMBLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • VESSEL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • DRESS HOOK (16th Century to 17th Century - 1550 AD to 1700 AD)
  • COIN (16th Century to 17th Century - 1582 AD to 1603 AD)
  • JETTON (16th Century to 17th Century - 1586 AD to 1635 AD)
  • COIN (17th Century - 1604 AD to 1607 AD)
  • COIN (17th Century - 1625 AD to 1634 AD)
  • BUCKLE (17th Century to 18th Century - 1660 AD to 1720 AD)
  • TOKEN (17th Century - 1668 AD to 1668 AD)
  • TOKEN (17th Century - 1668 AD to 1668 AD)

Protected Status - none

Sources and further reading

---Article in Serial: Margeson, S. 1992. Middle and Late Saxon Norfolk. The Annual. Vol 1, pp 29-36.
---Publication: British Museum. 2013. Treasure Act Annual Report 2011. p xxxvi.
---Aerial Photograph: CZX 21-4, EWF 1-20 (both IA coins).
---Photograph: I & RS. Digital finds image.
---Monograph: Ashley, S. 2002. Medieval Armorial Horse Furniture in Norfolk. East Anglian Archaeology. No 101.
---Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TF 63 NE 14; TF 63 NE 16.
---Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---Photograph: 1992. LBJ 25-26, Late Saxon winchester style strap end..
---Photograph: 1992. LBJ 27, Early Saxon D shaped buckle..
---Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Roman. Heacham.
---Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Late Saxon. Heacham [2].
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
---Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Miscellaneous. Heacham - NHER 1433.
<S1>Article in Serial: Gregory, T. 1980. Three Cast Prototypes of Iron Age Potin Coins. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXXVII Pt III pp 341-343. p 342.
<S2>Illustration: Gregory, T.. 1980. Drawing of an Iron Age coin.. Film. 2:1.
<S3>Map: Finder's Map..
<S4>Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1952. Heacham discovery. 18 March.
<S5>Illustration: Ashley, S.. Unknown. Drawing of a medieval horse harness pendant.. Film. 1:1.
<S6>Illustration: Gibbons, J. 2013. Drawing of an incomplete Late Saxon copper alloy stirrup-strap mount.. Film. 2:1.
<S7>Illustration: Gibbons, J. 2018. Drawing of a medieval buckle. Find Illustration. Film. 2:1.
<S8>Illustration: Gibbons, J. 2016. Drawing of an Early Saxon buckle. Find Illustration. Film. 2:1.

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