Allen Archaeology were commissioned by Dudgeon Offshore Wind Limited to undertake a Set Piece Excavation in advance of construction works of the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm onshore electrical cable system (cable route) in Norfolk. Our previous evaluation trenching had revealed a prehistoric ring ditch and Anglo-Saxon burials and the excavation revealed finds and features dating from the Neolithic through to the post-medieval period, with three principal phases of activity at the site: Bronze Age, Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon.

During the Bronze Age a round barrow was established. A small assemblage of Bronze Age pottery, including collared urn and Beaker sherds of early Bronze Age date were recovered from the ring ditch and later features. The barrow then fell into disuse and it was not until the Iron Age that the site was reutilised with the digging of a series of pits, forming pit alignments adjacent to and cutting through the earlier barrow. Two pottery kilns were also constructed during the Iron Age and pottery, probably produced in the kilns, was retrieved from several of the pits.

In the mid-5th century a cemetery was created within the ring ditch associated with the barrow. The cemetery continued in use until the mid-6th century. More than fifty graves were recorded, with the burials containing a range of grave goods including brooches, beads, rings, spearheads and knives. The general condition of the skeletal remains was poor due to the soil conditions found at the site. Two cremation pits and other non-funerary pits were also recorded.

Post-excavation assessment was completed in 2017 and analysis for publication will begin in 2018.