NHER 12993 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of a possible Roman rectilinear enclosure

Cropmark of long narrow rectangle, angled northwest to southeast, with possible adjoining linear features.
See (S1).
Located E. Rose (NAU) 4 January 1978.

See NHER 37958 for Bacton to King's Lynn proposed pipeline, plot 72 where geophysical survey recorded the southeast corner of a large rectangular enclosure with associated internal curvilinear features. This was at the exact location of NHER 12993.Although the function of the site is still uncertain, the morphology suggests a high status Roman structure rather than a moated site. However, magnetic susceptibility levels in this area were only slightly raised, indicating that any occupation could not have been intensive or long term.
A number of linear and curvilinear anomalies appeared to represent elements of field systems, which pre- and post-dated the enclosure.
See (S2).
J. Allen (NLA), 10 August 2007.

February 2023. Aylsham and Brampton Aerial Investigation and Mapping (AIM) Project.
The cropmarks of a rectilinear enclosure with internal subdivisions (see above) of a possible Roman date are seen on aerial photographs (S3-S4). The alignment of the enclosure differs to the alignment of the field boundaries recorded on the historic (such as S5) and modern maps. The differing alignment and the general morphology of the site may suggest a Roman date. It is possible that the enclosure may have related to Roman settlement. A series of multi-phase linear ditches (NHER 66777), probably relating to former boundaries, have been recorded (approximately 210m) to the south-west of the enclosure. Some of the boundaries appear to be on a similar alignment and may be contemporary with the enclosure. Probable later medieval to post-medieval field boundaries (NHER 66778) can also be seen possibly overlaying the enclosure. To the north of the enclosure, sections of parallel ditches which may relate to the corner of a second double-ditched rectilinear enclosure (NHER 66776) are visible. This feature may also date to the Roman period, or may be earlier, possibly Iron Age, in date. The possible double-ditched enclosure is on a similar alignment to the larger rectilinear enclosure. The enclosure has been previously suggested to relate to a medieval moated site and field system (see S2). However, the results of the previous geophysical survey (S2) which recorded the southeast corner of the enclosure, suggested that the ditches were too narrow to be a moated site. This may arguably support a Roman date for the rectilinear enclosure. For further discussion see S6.
J. Powell (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 21 February 2023.