Record Details
| NHER Number: | 9001 |
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| Type of record: | Monument |
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| Name: | Bronze Age pile/finds, Mickle Mere |
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Summary
A pile structure was found during temporary draining here in 1856. These oak piles were shaped and pointed and were laid out in a cruciform plan. Associated finds included sawn red deer antlers, other animal bones and part of a metal axehead.
Images - none
Location
| Grid Reference: | TL 908 918 |
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| Map Sheet: | TL99SW |
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| Parish: | WRETHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK |
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Full description
Pile structure found in temporary draining in 1856. 48 acres extent 6.1m (20ft) deep. Peat and mud removed. Oak piles shaped and pointed found (in shape of hollow 'T') (?cruciform plan). 3.7-4.3m (12-14ft) below surface of water on south side halfway into lake. Sawn red deer antlers found 1.5-1.8m (5-6ft) below surface in mud (formerly some at Wretham Hall).
Water-level (1883) of 29m (94.92ft) OD.
R. R. Clarke (NCM).
For references see West Mere especially J. Gunn Mss in file, which records artificial island on west and east sides at distance of 73-100m (80-110yds) and full of good 'slinging stones' 137-183m (150-200yds) to south and west cart loads of bones and horns of deer and Ox and a few of pig were found. 'A part of a celt was also found which appears to have been cast in the same mould as those in the Dublin Museum'.
R. R. Clarke (NCM).
Sword of around the time of Charles I found in contact with HSR in another part of pool.
(S1) recorded skull of Bos Primigenius at Wretham Hall - from here?
E. Rose (NAU).
19 July 2000. Field Observation (Visual Assessment).
See NHER 69000 for details of observations regarding the use of Mere itself as a wild fowl decoy during the post-medieval period, when it formed part of Wretham Park (NHER 56270).
B. Cushion (NLA) 19 July 2000. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 15 January 2025.
Monument Types
- BUILDING (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
- PILE (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
Associated Finds
- SLING SHOT (Undated)
- ANIMAL REMAINS (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
- AXEHEAD (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
- UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
- HUMAN REMAINS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
- SWORD (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Protected Status
Sources and further reading
| --- | Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TL 99 SW 11. |
| --- | Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card. |
| --- | Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Bronze Age. Wretham (West & East). |
| --- | Secondary File: Secondary File. |
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