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Record Details

NHER Number:22053
Type of record:Find Spot
Name:Multi-period finds

Summary

Finds recovered at this location between 1850 and 2022 as chance discoveries or as a result of more systematic fieldwalking and metal-detecting include a Bronze Age scraper and other prehistoric worked flints; a single sherd of Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age Beaker pottery; Iron Age, Roman, medieval and post-medieval pottery sherds; a medieval glazed roof tile; an undated quern fragment and bones fragments; Late Iron Age, Roman, medieval and post-medieval coins; a post-medieval token and a range of other, Middle Bronze Age to post-medieval metal objects. These metal finds include a Middle Bronze Age palstave (possibly part of a scattered hoard together with objects from NHER 20692 and NHER 4755); a Late Iron Age/Roman brooch; Roman brooches, a finger ring and cosmetic mortar; an Early Saxon girdle hanger terminal and silver brooch; a Middle/Late Saxon brooch; Late Saxon to post-medieval lead spindle whorls; medieval buckles, strap ends, mounts, a brooch and hooked tag; a ?medieval pendant; a medieval/post-medieval copper alloy vessel fragment and post-medieval knife end stop dress hook, belt fastener, harness mount, lead cloth seals and probable musket balls.

Images

  • Post-medieval cloth seal from NHER 22053 © Norfolk County Council
  • Early Saxon brooch from NHER 22053 © Norfolk County Council

Location

Grid Reference:Not displayed
Map Sheet:TL79SW
Parish:METHWOLD, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Full description

THE SITE OF ST HELEN'S CHURCH AND THE CROPMARKS OF AN UNDATED RECTANGULAR ENCLOSURE FORMERLY RECORDED UNDER NHER 22053 ARE NOW RECORDED UNDER NHER 4791 AND NHER 60097 RESPECTIVELY.

1850. Stray Find.
Found north-east of Methwold Hythe, south of Hanging Drove at [1] (Context 8):
Roman coins (OS marking - no details known to R. R. Clarke).
Previously recorded as NHER 4781.
Information from record card (S1) and file notes (S2).
Amended by A. Beckham (HES), 8 July 2014 and P. Watkins (HES), 27 August 2023.

1952. Stray Find.
Found 1/4 mile [c.400m] east of Abbey Farm at [2] (Context 7):
Roman sherds. Possible 2nd century date.
Previously recorded under NHER 4890.
Information from record card (S1) and file notes (S2).
Amended by A. Beckham (HES), 8 July 2014 and P. Watkins (HES), 27 August 2023.

1957. Stray Find. [3].
Found about a hundred yards [c.90m] east of church site (NHER 4791), at [4] (Context 9):
Middle Bronze Age palstave.
Previously recorded under NHER 4754.
Information from record card (S3) and file notes (S2).
This discovery was reported in (S4).
See NHER 4755 for further discussion of additional Bronze Age finds recovered from the adjacent field.
Amended by A. Beckham (HES), 8 July 2014, H. Hamilton (HES), 26 July 2021 and P. Watkins (HES), 27 August 2023.

1976. Stray Find. [5].
Found on or around church site (Context 6):
Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age Beaker 'domestic ware' pottery sherd.
Donated to Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 1976.222). The museum's records indicate that it also holds prehistoric worked flints of unspecified type(s) found at the same time/location.
Amended by A. Beckham (HES), 8 July 2014 and P. Watkins (HES), 27 August 2023.

1984. Metal-detecting.
Found in strip along eastern edge of field at [6] (Context 1):
27 Roman coins.
1 post-medieval coin.
Not seem by NCM (listed by unknown identifier).

Found at [7] (Context 11):
1 Late Iron Age coin.
Identified by T. Gregory (NCM).
Previously recorded as NHER 22363.
The exact nature of the coin from this location is uncertain as coins from this site and NHER 22364 had been confused by the finders. See [8].

Information from file notes (S2).
Amended by A. Beckham (HES), 9 July 2014.

1985. Metal detecting. [9].
Found at [10] (Context 2):
1 Late Iron Age coin.
Identified by T. Gregory (NCM).

Found at [11] (Context 10):
Medieval buckle, strap end, mount and hooked tag.
Post-medieval belt fastener.
Identified by S. Margeson (NCM).

Information from record card (S5) and file notes (S2).
Amended by A. Beckham (HES), 8 July 2014 and P. Watkins (HES), 27 August 2023.

1980s. Metal-detecting.
Found by [12], probably in this field [14]:
1 Early Saxon girdle hanger terminal.
1 medieval coin and 1 mount.
1 ?medieval pendant.
1 post-medieval lead cloth seal.
Information from NCM polaroids.
P. Watkins (HES), 7 July 2016.

1980s. Metal-detecting.
Found by [13], probably in this field [14]:
1 Roman brooch (Hod Hill type) and 1 finger ring.
1 medieval coin.
Information from NCM polaroids.
P. Watkins (HES), 7 July 2016.

22 April 1987. Systematic Fieldwalking Survey.
Examined as part of Fenland Survey.
Context 5 (general scatter over all field):
Prehistoric flints including hammerstone and Bronze Age scraper.
Possible Iron Age pottery sherds.
Roman pottery sherds.
Medieval pottery sherds.

Context 3 (at [15]):
1 undated quern stone fragment.
Sparse to moderate Roman pottery sherd concentration.
Medieval pottery sherd.

Context 4 (at [16]):
1 Roman pottery sherd.
Small undated pottery concentration, possibly medieval.
Some post-medieval material, find type not specified.

Context 6 (church site, at [17]):
Undated bone fragments.
Sparse medieval pottery sherd concentration.
Flattish area of chalk indicates site of church (NHER 4791)?

Information from file notes (S2). See publication (S6).
Amended by A. Beckham (HES), 9 July 2014 and P. Watkins (HES), 27 August 2023.

15 March 1988. Systematic Fieldwalking Survey.
Further work as part of Fenland Survey. This demonstrated that Contexts 1 (central), 3 and 7 are really parts of one scatter (that also extends into NHER 22364 Context 6) - a spread of pottery across slope comprising Roman sherds along with 1 or 2 Iron Age sherds. Quite a lot of post-medieval rubbish was also noted but very little tile.

Further finds from centre of field (Context 5):
Prehistoric worked flints and Roman pottery sherds on chalk slope.

Information from file notes (S2). See publication (S6).
Amended by A. Beckham (HES), 9 July 2014.

January 1992. Fieldwalking.
From area of Context 6:
4 medieval pottery sherds and glazed roof tile.
Identified by W. Milligan (NCM).
Donated to Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 1999.1.34.13).
Information from file notes (S2).
Amended by A. Beckham (HES), 9 July 2014 and P. Watkins (HES), 27 August 2023.

See full list of finds in file.
E. Rose (NLA), 8 January 1993.

May 2014. Metal-detecting. [18].
Early Saxon silver brooch.
Medieval buckle.
Post-medieval lead cloth seal and probable musket balls.
Information from PAS import.
The Early Saxon silver brooch was declared Treasure at inquest (Ref: 2014 T379) and acquired by Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2015.123).
A. Beckham (HES), 3 July 2014.

November-December 2016. Metal-detecting. [19].
1 Roman coin.
1 post-medieval token.
Information from PAS import.
A. Beckham (HES), 9 January 2017.

December 2016-January 2017. Metal-detecting. [20].
2 Roman coins and centre-looped cosmetic mortar.
1 medieval coin.
Post-medieval knife end stop.
Information from PAS import.
E. McDonald (HES), 7 February 2017 and P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2023.

January-February 2017. Metal-detecting. [21].
1 Roman coin.
1 medieval composite strap end.
Information from PAS import.
E. McDonald (HES), 3 April 2017.

February-March 2017. Metal-detecting. [23].
3 Roman coins.
Information from PAS import.
E. McDonald (HES), 3 April 2017.

February 2017. Metal-detecting. [22].
1 Late Iron Age coin.
Middle/Late Saxon caterpillar brooch.
Information from PAS import.
E. McDonald (HES), 3 April 2017.

March-April 2017. Metal-detecting. [24].
1 Roman coin.
Late Saxon to post-medieval lead spindle whorl.
Medieval/post-medieval copper alloy vessel fragment.
1 post-medieval pottery sherd.
Information from PAS import.
E. McDonald (HES), 4 May 2017.

September-October 2017. Metal-detecting. [25].
The following finds are not recorded on the PAS database.
Medieval strap end.
Post-medieval dress hook.
E. McDonald (HES), 1 December 2017.

December 2017-January 2018. Metal-detecting. [26].
Roman Colchester Deritative brooch.
Medieval strap end.
Post-medieval knife end stop and lead cloth seal.
Information from PAS import.
E. McDonald (HES), 2 May 2018.

January-February 2018. Metal-detecting. [27].
3 Roman coins.
Information from PAS import.
Not recorded on the PAS database:
Late Iron Age/Roman Colchester brooch.
E. McDonald (HES), 2 April 2018.

February-March 2018. Metal-detecting. [28].
2 Roman coins.
Late Saxon/medieval lead spindle whorl.
2 medieval coins and openwork brooch.
Information from PAS import.
E. McDonald (HES), 2 May 2018 and P. Watkins (HES), 1 March 2021.

March-April 2018. Metal-detecting. [29].
1 Roman coin.
1 medieval coin.
Post-medieval harness mount.
Information from PAS import.
E. McDonald (HES), 2 July 2018.

April-June 2018. Metal-detecting. [30].
5 Roman coins.
Information from PAS import.
E. McDonald (HES), 2 July 2018.

April-June 2022. Metal-detecting. [31].
2 Roman coins.
2 medieval coins.
Information from PAS import.
A. Beckham (HES), 16 May 2022 and P. Watkins (HES), 12 December 2023 and 16 December 2023.

September-October 2022. Metal-detecting. [32].
1 Roman coin.
Information from PAS import.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 February 2024.

Monument Types

  • FINDSPOT (Unknown date)
  • FINDSPOT (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • FINDSPOT (Beaker - 2300 BC to 1700 BC)
  • FINDSPOT (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Late Iron Age - 100 BC to 42 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Late Iron Age to Roman - 100 BC to 409 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Early Saxon - 410 AD to 650 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Middle Saxon to Late Saxon - 651 AD to 1065 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Late Saxon to 19th Century - 851 AD to 1900 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

  • ANIMAL REMAINS (Undated)
  • HUMAN REMAINS (Undated)
  • POT (Unknown date)
  • QUERN (Undated)
  • HAMMERSTONE (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
  • LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
  • LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
  • LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
  • LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • POT (Beaker - 2300 BC to 1700 BC)
  • PALSTAVE (Middle Bronze Age - 1600 BC to 1001 BC)
  • COIN (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • COIN (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • POT (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • COIN (Late Iron Age - 10 AD to 42 AD)
  • BROOCH (Late Iron Age to Roman - 20 AD to 75 AD)
  • BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 80 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COSMETIC MORTAR (Roman - 43 AD? to 200 AD)
  • FINGER RING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 260 AD to 268 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 260 AD to 268 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 271 AD to 274 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 271 AD to 274 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 314 AD to 314 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 326 AD to 326 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 335 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 330 AD to 348 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 330 AD to 348 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 330 AD to 348 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 335 AD to 341 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 337 AD to 341 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 348 AD to 364 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 353 AD to 364 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 364 AD to 378 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 364 AD to 378 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 364 AD to 378 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 364 AD to 378 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 367 AD to 375 AD)
  • GIRDLE HANGER (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • BROOCH (Early Saxon - 590 AD to 650 AD)
  • BROOCH (Middle Saxon to Late Saxon - 800 AD to 950 AD)
  • SPINDLE WHORL (Late Saxon to 16th Century - 1000 AD to 1600 AD)
  • SPINDLE WHORL (Late Saxon to Medieval - 1000 AD to 1400 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HOOKED TAG (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • MOUNT (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)
  • POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP END (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1189 AD to 1200 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1400 AD)
  • STRAP END (Medieval - 1275 AD to 1450 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1280 AD to 1280 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1280 AD to 1281 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1280 AD to 1310 AD)
  • BROOCH (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1400 AD)
  • STRAP END (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1400 AD)
  • STRAP END (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1400 AD)
  • VESSEL (Medieval to 17th Century - 1300 AD to 1700 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1377 AD to 1399 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1413 AD to 1422 AD)
  • CLOTH SEAL (Medieval to 17th Century - 1500 AD to 1700 AD)
  • CLOTH SEAL (Medieval to 18th Century - 1500 AD to 1800 AD)
  • KNIFE (Medieval to 16th Century - 1500 AD to 1600 AD)
  • KNIFE (Medieval to 16th Century - 1500 AD to 1600 AD)
  • MUSKET BALL (Medieval to 18th Century - 1500 AD to 1800 AD)
  • CLOTH SEAL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • COIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • DRESS HOOK (16th Century to 17th Century - 1550 AD to 1700 AD)
  • POT (16th Century to 17th Century - 1550 AD to 1700 AD)
  • HARNESS MOUNT (16th Century to 17th Century - 1600 AD to 1700 AD)
  • TOKEN (17th Century - 1650 AD to 1667 AD)

Protected Status - none

Sources and further reading

---*Fieldwork: Fenland Survey. MTW 128. FENS.
---*Fieldwork: Fenland Survey. MTW DX. FENS.
---*Fieldwork: Fenland Survey. MTW DY. FENS.
---*Fieldwork: Fenland Survey. MTW DZ. FENS.
---Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TL 79 NW 26; TL 79 SW 1.
---Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Photograph: CQN 18-24 (I coin).
<S1>Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Roman. Methwold (2).
<S2>Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
<S3>Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Bronze Age. Methwold.
<S4>Serial: 1957. Council for British Archaeology Group 7 Bulletin of Archaeological Discoveries. No 4. p 3.
<S5>Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Medieval. Methwold.
<S6>Monograph: Silvester, R. J. 1991. The Fenland Project, Number 4: The Wissey Embayment and the Fen Causeway, Norfolk. East Anglian Archaeology. No 52.

Related records

4755Related to: Prehistoric finds, field north of Hanging Drove (Find Spot)
22364Related to: Prehistoric occupation and Roman settlement, Prehistoric, Roman and medieval to post-medieval finds (Find Spot)
20692Related to: Unprovenanced Bronze Age palstave (Methwold, poorly located) (Find Spot)

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