CHAPTER 3: ROMAN HAPPING

CREMATION URNS

The number of artefacts recorded in Happing (2002) increases significantly during the Roman occupation (43 AD - 410 AD) with a small concentration on high ground near Happisburgh and large concentrations around the Stalham/Ingham/Wayford area. Possibly the most significant Roman feature in the area is Anchor Street, a Roman road from Brampton to Stalham that crosses the river Ant at Wayford. Roman Brampton was a large pottery production centre consisting of at least 200 kilns (1) producing Greyware (everyday kitchenware), that has been found as far away as the Antonine Wall in Scotland (2). The rise in sea level formed the Great Estuary behind Great Yarmouth, and there are 19th century reports of a possible Roman Lighthouse at Reedham and a possible Roman dock in Brundall (3). It is likely that with the higher sea level, the river Ant was navigable up to the Stalham area, where there may have been a small dock to off-load goods and load Brampton pottery for export. What appeared to be a boat shaped timber object was pulled out of the river at Wayford Bridge in 1976 that was radiocarbon dated to 210 AD +/- 80 years (4). Over 13 Roman coins have been recovered from a field between Stalham and Wayford that suggests an area of commerce (i.e., a market). There are speculated Roman roads between Stalham and Happisburgh and Stalham and Caister, primarily based upon 'Grub Street' below Happisburgh and 'Low Street' in Rolesby. An early reference to the place name of 'Street' suggests a Roman origin, from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Strata', meaning a metalled or Roman road. The high ground in Happisburgh could have been the site of a Roman lookout station and Caister was once a major port (1). Of the Roman coins recorded in Happing (2002), 22 were pre 210 AD and 6 were post 210 AD in date. Roman artefacts include a hypocaust tile, for under-floor heating, Saimian pottery (very high quality), rings, brooches, a perfume flask, a caldron and there is a 19th century report of a tessellated (mosaic) floor, although this cannot be substantiated or located. A Roman cemetery is known between Stalham and Wayford and near Stalham church Roman cremation urns have been discovered - see picture (5). Of the datable Roman artefacts recorded in Happing, approximately 75% are 1st & 2nd century AD and 25% are 3rd & 4th century AD. This discrepancy may suggest a decline in Roman activity in Happing from around 200AD. The Roman historian, Ammianus Marcellinus, records barbarians harassing Briton's east coast in 367 AD (6).

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