Norfolk Archaeology 45 (1)

An evaluation excavation was carried out at the presumed Iron Age hillfort at Bloodgate Hill, South Creake, in 2003, ahead of interpretation and display of the monument to the public. The bank of the earthwork had been slighted in 1827 during agricultural improvement; however earlier air photographs had indicated the presence of a large ring-ditch within the round earthwork enclosure, and a geophysical survey prior to excavation revealed further details of the fort's outer circuit and the ring-ditch. Excavation showed that the outer ditch had been recut some time after its initial excavation. A remnant of the bank survived, but no associated structural evidence was recorded. Radiocarbon dating of material from the primary deposits suggested a construction date of c. 280 BC for the first phase of the monument. The inner ring-ditch had a distinctive V-shaped lower profile, and its filling sequence suggested the presence of an internal bank. Radiocarbon dating on material from its primary deposits indicated a date of c. 1630 BC for its construction. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating was also carried out and yielded a date of 1860±450 BC. The pottery from the deposit is of Iron Age date, however. A third trench recorded a chalky spread behind the line of the former bank, representing the slighting of the bank in 1827; this sealed earlier soils. A small pit beneath these soils produced Iron Age pottery and flints. Environmental evidence from the excavation was slight but indicated an open landscape at the time when the fort was built. Separately authored contributions include

An archaeological excavation on the west side of the High Street in Dereham revealed several linear features which may have been dug in the Early Saxon period. Thereafter little activity seems to have occurred until the thirteenth century when a simple earth-fast timber building, with an associated yard and outbuilding, was established on the street frontage. This building may have continued in use throughout the medieval and post-medieval periods, only being replaced in the nineteenth century when the Oxford Inn was built. In the twentieth century the site was developed as a motor vehicle service centre. Separately authored contributions include

Note drawing attention to a possible henge monument c. 4 km west of the city of Norwich, recorded on an RAF aerial photograph of 1947 but apparently not previously considered in print.

Eighth part in a consecutive annual catalogue of medieval seal matrices published in Norfolk Archaeology. Impressions of all the matrices contained in the catalogue are available for study at Norwich Castle Museum.

Numerous short, separately authored summaries of archaeological excavations, fieldwork and surveys carried out in Norfolk during 2005. Entries are arranged alphabetically by town or parish, with a separate section on excavations with negative results.