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Norfolk Heritage Explorer

Record Details

NHER Number:	1124
Type of record:	Monument
Name:	Brampton Roman town

Summary

A Roman town, surrounded by a polygonal ditch, which has been extensively excavated and is visible on aerial photographs. Metalworking shops, kilns, furnaces, a bath house, a wharf, roads, inhumations, quarries and ritual shafts have been found in the town, as well as a large number of coins and other metal finds. The town is at an important cross roads and river crossing, and extensive industrial remains (pottery kilns) are known to the west.

Images

Location

Grid Reference:	TG 22 23
Map Sheet:	TG22SW
Parish:	BRAMPTON, BROADLAND, NORFOLK

Full description

A Roman settlement with a polygonal outer ditch, lying across the route of two Roman roads.

1667.
Roman kilns found, called cremations, with pottery and glass.
Discovery described by Sir Thomas Browne, see (S1).

1845 to 1847.
Roman sherds of castor ware and samian ware.

1848.
Copper alloy Roman lamp and gold coin found by farm labourers.

Late 19th century.
Roman urns, coins and copper alloy figures of Minerva and Jupiter found whilst cutting the railway.

1930 to 1932.
Roman pottery and tiles found.

1941.
Roman pottery and slag found whilst cutting Home Guard trenches.

1954.
Roman objects found, including coins and pottery.
These discoveries were reported in (S29).

1961.
Roman coin found.

1962 to 1963.
Roman sherds and iron slag found.

1964 to 1986.
Annual excavations of Roman town by Dr Keith Knowles including metalworking shops, kilns, furnaces, bath house, wharf, roads, inhumations, quarries and ritual shafts.
1969 finds included a Roman patera handle and a copper alloy oinochoe (jug) lid (S14).
1970 finds included an Iron Age terret (S15) and two Roman intaglios (S16) and (S17).
1974 finds included Roman bronze box fitting of two opposed dolphins (S18), a hunt cup (S19)/(S20) and two samian vessels.
1982 finds included Roman rings, disc, rivets, implemeted blade, beads, pins, a knife handle, pottery (S21) and coins.
Unpublished interim reports for the follow seasons: 1968 (S2), 1969 (S3), 1970 (S4), 1971 (S5).
Published interim reports: 1972 (S6), Brittania 1977 (S7), CBA Group VI Bulletin 1979 (S8), 1981 (S9), 1982 (S10), 1983 (S11), 1984 (S12), 1987 (S13). The results of the 1974 and 1975 are also summarised in (S30) and (S31).

1989.
Metal detecting survey of entire scheduled area produced over 800 Roman coins, and Roman pottery, brooches, spoons, bracelets and other metalwork, Early Saxon brooch and post medieval metalwork.
Excavation of Roman furnace.

1991 to 1992.
Further metal detecting finds.
Roman statuette of Mercury, Roman brooches, coins, silver finger ring, votive plaque (S22), and other metalwork, Iron Age coin, medieval coin, etc.

1993.
Metal detecting finds.
Finds included a Middle Bronze Age palstave (S23), Iron Age, Roman coins, metalwork (S24), cosmetic mortar (S25) and rare medieval glass bead.

1994.
Metal detecting finds.
Roman coins and brooches (S26)and votive plaque with a bearded head.
Medieval coin.

1995.
Metal detecting.
Iron Age terret (S27), Roman coins, key, armlet etc.

1997.
Metal detecting.
Many Roman coins and metalwork.
Medieval metalwork.

1997. Metal detecting. Probably in same areas as previously metal detecting by [1].
Eight-one Roman coins.
One medieval coin.
One medieval Boy Bishop token.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA) 6 November 1999.

1997 to 1998. Metal detecting.
Roman metal finds.
See list in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA) 30 June 1999.

April to May 2000. Metal detecting in dyke edges. Area central TG 2250 2390.
Thirteen Roman coins found by [1] and 7 found by [2].
Roman brooch and military pendant found by [1].
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA) 9 June 2000.

August to September 2000. Metal detecting.
Site extended, area TG 2270, 2337 (area on 1:2500 between 'black line' and edge of scheduled site).
Seven Roman and one medieval coins.
Medieval pendant.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA) 7 October 2000.

October 2000. Metal detecting.
Iron Age harness fitting (S28).
Fifty Roman and one medieval coin.
Three post medieval tokens.
Medieval, post medieval and Undated metal finds.
See drawing and lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA) 7 November 2000.

January/February 2001. Metal detecting.
In area of context 6.
Three Roman coins.
Roman object.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 14 March 2001.

Before July/August 2002. Metal detecting.
In northern part of site, in area including context 23 centred TG 2247 2391, but including enclosure to the north including NHER 15869 and NHER 21492 centred at TG 2250 2395.
Three Roman coins.
Medieval and post medieval metal finds.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 10 September 2002.

2002 to 2003. Metal detecting.
Fifty-five Roman coins, post medieval jetton and token.
Roman, Middle Saxon/Late Saxon, medieval and post medieval metal objects.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 22 April 2004.

September 2006. Casual surface finds.
Two Roman sherds, two Roman tile fragments and probably Roman iron slag.
See list in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 6 October 2006.

Monument Types

BATH HOUSE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BLOOMERY (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
CREMATION (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
DITCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FLOOR (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FURNACE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
HEARTH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
INHUMATION (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
KITCHEN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
POST HOLE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
POTTERY KILN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
QUARRY (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
RITUAL SHAFT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
ROAD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
SITE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
TIMBER FRAMED BUILDING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
TOWN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
TOWN DEFENCES (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
TOWN DEFENCES (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
WELL (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
WORKSHOP (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FEATURE (Early Saxon - 410 AD to 650 AD)
DITCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
SUNDIAL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Undated)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Undated)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Undated)
PALSTAVE (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
COIN (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
COIN (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
HARNESS (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
HARNESS (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
AMULET (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
ANIMAL REMAINS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BALANCE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BEAD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BEAD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BELL (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BOX (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BOX (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BRACELET (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BUCKET (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BUCKLE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BUCKLE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
CEREMONIAL OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
CEREMONIAL OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
CEREMONIAL OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
CEREMONIAL OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COIN HOARD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COSMETIC MORTAR (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
DISC (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
DRESS COMPONENT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FIGURINE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FIGURINE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FINGER RING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FINGER RING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FINGER RING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FURNITURE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FURNITURE FITTING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
GEMSTONE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
HAIR PIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
HARNESS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
HUMAN REMAINS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
KEY (LOCKING) (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
KEY (LOCKING) (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
KNIFE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
LAMP (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
MANUFACTURING DEBRIS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
MOLLUSCA REMAINS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
MOULD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
MOULD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
NAIL (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
NAIL (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
NEEDLE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
PALETTE (COSMETIC) (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
PALETTE (COSMETIC) (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
PENDANT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
PERSONAL ORNAMENT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
PIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
PIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
PIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
PLAQUE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
PLAQUE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
PLATE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
QUERN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
RING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
RING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
ROOF TILE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
SCABBARD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
SPOON (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
STRAP FITTING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
STUD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
TILE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
TOILET ARTICLE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
TWEEZERS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
VESSEL (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
VESSEL (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
WEIGHT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
WINDOW GLASS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BROOCH (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
PIN (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
BROOCH (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
BROOCH (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
STRAP FITTING (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
STRAP FITTING (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
BEAD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BEAD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
FINGER RING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
FINGER RING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
KNIFE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
MINIATURE OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
PADLOCK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
PENDANT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
SPUR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
TOKEN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
TWEEZERS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
VESSEL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BUCKLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
BUTTON (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
COIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
FURNITURE FITTING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
JETTON (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
KNIFE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
KNIFE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
NEEDLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
SEAL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
STUD (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
THIMBLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
TOKEN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
VESSEL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Protected Status

SHINE
Scheduled Monument

Sources and further reading

---	Aerial Photograph: TG2223 ACF-AFS,AGB-AGM.
---	Photograph: I & RS. Digital finds image.
---	Map: Finder's Map..
---	Photograph: NCC Find Identification and Recording Service. c. 1975-2000. HES Find Polaroid Collection. HES Find Polaroid Collection. polaroid. black and white.
---	Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---	Unpublished Report: Ferguson, R.. 1988. The Roman Town at Brampton, Norfolk: A Resistivity Survey.
---	Illustration: Knowles, A. K.. 1992. Interpretive drawing of Brampton, post construction of town defences.
---	Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1980. Quiet village with a busy past. 24 January.
---	Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1994. Appeal fails on metal detector trail.. 21 October.
---	Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1993. Detector man found at Roman site 'taking short cut'.. 12 March.
---	Monograph: Jackson, Ralph. 2010. Cosmetic Sets of Late Iron Age and Roman Britain. British Museum Research Publication. 181. Nos 35, 37.
---	Article in Serial: Gurney, D (ed.). 1990. Excavations and Surveys in Norfolk 1989. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XLI Pt I pp 107-112. p 108.
---	Photograph: 1991. LBL 29-30, Romano British lead penis..
---	Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Iron Age. Brampton [2].
---	Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Roman. Brampton [26].
---	Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Late Saxon. Brampton.
---	Monograph: Swan, V. G.. 1984. The Pottery Kilns of Roman Britain. Royal Commission on Historical Monuments Supplementary Series. 5.
---	Secondary File: Secondary File.
---	Slide: Various. Slide.
---	Photograph: ELA7-12, FVH 16-18, 31-6.
---	Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
---	Article in Serial: Edwards, W. F. 1982. Dr A. K. Knowles - Excavations Brantunae [report on talk given at Recent Discoveries Meeting, April 3, 1982]. Norfolk Research Committee Bulletin. Series 2 No 28 pp 7-8.
---	Article in Serial: Cornford, B. 1989. Dr. Keith Knowles - A New View on the Brampton Roman Site [report on talk given at Recent Discoveries meeting]. Norfolk Research Committee Bulletin. Series 3 No 2 pp 3-4.
<S1>	Article in Monograph: Browne, T., Sir.. 1893. Concerning some Urnes found in Brampton-Field in Norfolk [1667]. Hydriotaphia and Brampton Urns. Evans, J..
<S2>	Unpublished Report: Knowles, A. K.. 1969. Brampton, Domestic Site, 1968.
<S3>	Unpublished Report: Knowles, A. K. 1970. Brampton, Norfolk. Domestic Site. 1969. Area 101.
<S4>	Unpublished Report: Knowles, A. K. 1971. Excavation at Brampton, Norfolk, 1970. Fourth Interim Report.
<S5>	Unpublished Report: Knowles, A. K.. 1972. Romano-British Settlement at Brampton, Norfolk. 5th Interim Report.
<S6>	Article in Serial: 1972. Extracts from Norfolk Research Committee Meetings: A. K. Knowles - The Brampton Roman Industrial Site. Norfolk Research Committee Newsletter and Bulletin. Series 2 No 7 p 10.
<S6>	Article in Serial: 1972. Extracts from Norfolk Research Committee Meetings: Dr. Calvin Wells - Saxon Trephination?. Norfolk Research Committee Newsletter and Bulletin. Series 2 No 7 p 10.
<S7>	Article in Serial: Knowles, A. K.. 1977. The Roman Settlement at Brampton, Norfolk: Interim Report.. Britannia. Vol 8, pp 209-221.
<S8>	Article in Serial: Knowles, A. K. 1979. Excavatores Brantunae. CBA Group VI Bulletin. No 25 pp 7-8.
<S9>	Article in Serial: Knowles, A. K. 1981. Excavatores Brantunae. CBA Group VI Bulletin. No 26 p 12.
<S10>	Article in Serial: Knowles, A. K. 1982. Excavatores Brantunae. CBA Group VI Bulletin. No 27 pp 9-11.
<S11>	Article in Serial: Knowles, A. K. 1983. Excavatores Brantunae. CBA Group VI Bulletin. No 28 pp 20-26.
<S12>	Article in Serial: Knowles, A. K. 1984. Excavatores Brantunae. CBA Group VI Bulletin. No 29 p 9.
<S13>	Article in Serial: Knowles, A. K. 1987. Excavatores Brantunae. CBA Group VI Bulletin. No 32 pp 26-27.
<S14>	Illustration: Gregory, T. 1974. Drawing of Roman copper alloy oinochoe (jug) lid and a copper alloy patera handle. Card. 1:1.
<S15>	Illustration: Milligan, W. 1971. Drawing of an Iron Age copper alloy lipped terret. Card. 2:1.
<S16>	Illustration: Milligan, W. 1971. Drawing of a Roman jasper intaglio depicting helmeted head. Card. 10:1.
<S17>	Illustration: Milligan, W. 1971. Drawing of a Roman intaglio depicting standing figure. Card. 14:1.
<S18>	Illustration: Gregory, T. 1974. Drawing of Roman copper alloy box fitting and copper alloy split pins. Card. 2:1.
<S19>	Illustration: Gregory, T. 1974. Drawing of a Roman Nene Valley colour-coated ware ['Castor ware'] pottery hunt cup. Card. 1:1.
<S20>	Illustration: Gregory, T. 1974. Drawing of decoration on Roman Nene Valley colour-coated ware ['Castor ware'] pottery hunt cup. Card. 1:1.
<S21>	Illustration: [Unknown]. [Unknown]. Rubbings of stamps on Roman Samian ware pottery. Card. 1:1.
<S22>	Illustration: Davies, J. 1992. Drawing of a Roman votive plaque of Mercury. Paper. Unknown.
<S23>	Illustration: Jones, C. 1994. Drawing of a Middle Bronze Age copper alloy palstave fragment. Paper. 1:1.
<S24>	Illustration: Jones, C. 1994. Drawing of a Roman copper alloy enamelled triple-disc plate brooch. Paper. 2:1.
<S25>	Illustration: Jones, C. 1993. Drawing of a Roman copper alloy cosmetic motar. Paper. 1:1.
<S26>	Illustration: Barnett, C. 1994. Drawing of a Roman copper alloy Dolphin-type brooch. Paper. 1:1.
<S27>	Illustration: Davies, J. 1995. Drawing of an Iron Age copper alloy terret fragment. Paper. 1:1.
<S28>	Illustration: Holness, A. 2000. Drawing of an Iron Age copper harness fitting. Film. 2:1.
<S29>	Serial: 1955. Council for British Archaeology Group 7 Bulletin of Archaeological Discoveries. No 2. p 4.
<S30>	Serial: 1974. Council for British Archaeology Group 7 Bulletin of Archaeological Discoveries for 1974. No 21. p 2.
<S31>	Serial: 1975. Council for British Archaeology Group 7 Bulletin of Archaeological Discoveries for 1975. No 22. p 4.