The Archaeology of Norton In the past a number of archaeological excavations and surveys have been conducted in the Norton area. These have provided ‘windows' into Norton's remote history. They reveal that within a mile of St. Nicholas, settlement has occurred at least since the Late Neolithic (c.3100-2500BC) and continued through the Bronze Age (c2500-700BC), the Iron Age (c700BC-AD43), the Roman (AD43-AD410), Saxon, Medieval and Post-Medieval periods up to the present time, albeit not necessarily in exactly the same areas. Given that the ancient trackway ‘The Icknield Way' passes along the southern boundary of the parish it is not surprising that such continuity of habitation exists. At the opposite end of the parish lies Wilbury Hillfort which was probably constructed in the Late Bronze Age (c1000-700BC) and occupied through the Iron Age and, at times, during the Roman period. The major sites that have been examined are : Blackhorse Road – When the industrial estate was constructed, evidence from the Late Neolithic through to the Saxon period was found. This included some burials which were considered to be part of a pagan Saxon cemetery. Green Lane – Evidence for habitation from 1000 – 1250ad was found in this area prior to the construction of Kristiansand Way etc. Wilbury Hillfort – Excavations occurred in the 1930s which showed that houses were probably situated inside the fort in the Iron Age. Eventually the ditches and banks were levelled and the settlement spread outside. It may have continued as a village into the Roman period. In addition, work in the area of St. Nicholas School & Church Lane around 1907 resulted in the discovery of a small number of Roman objects. These probably indicate the presence of a settlement nearby. In addition, a number of surveys have been carried out in Norton. These include : In 1996 a geophysical survey was carried out in a field at the end of Church Lane. This showed a number of enigmatic features which have been interpreted as a series of ploughed-out round barrows of Bronze Age date together with a number of enclosures, pits, ditches and a possible droveway of later date. A survey of the earthworks in Church Field has identified a number of possible house platforms. The date of these is not known but is assumed to be Medieval. One of the objectives of the ‘Summer Dig' this year is to see if an answer can be found to this question. Other earthworks located to the west of the school are thought to represent the remains of a Medieval farmstead, including, probable house platforms with associated linear earthworks, ridge and furrow and field boundaries. To the north-east of the village lies the moated site of Norton Bury. Norton Bury Manor was linked to the village by the hollow way which runs north-east – south-west through the earthworks to the north-east of the church. The hollow way appears to carry on to the river and is associated with further earthworks.
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