ENN110745 - Norwood Farm, Norwood Relief Road (Area A and B), 2022 (Excavation)

MOLA was commissioned by EDP on behalf of Miller Homes and Barwood Strategic Land Ltd to carry out archaeological excavation in advance of residential development on land to the east of the village of Harpole. The archaeological works comprised the investigation of the corridor of the Relief Road (Areas A and B) and adjacent development parcel to the east. The north-eastern and eastern edge of a late Iron Age to Roman farmstead was investigated in Areas A and B. Multiple phases of activity was identified. Area A contained boundary ditches, a trackway, and a four-post granary from the Late Iron Age to Roman periods, along with cremation deposits and later quarrying activity. Area B revealed rectilinear enclosures, corn-drying ovens, pottery production evidence, and funerary deposits, followed by medieval ridge and furrow and a post-medieval field boundary. A further excavation area (Area F) was located at the northern edge of the development area to investigate two undated ditches identified during the evaluation of the previous Sandy Land Relief Road. Undated features, largely comprising burnt pits, were identified in Area F.