NHER 2477 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of possible ring ditches and Roman field system

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Summary

Aerial photographs from the 1940s recorded cropmarks of ring ditches and a possible barrow in this area. Multiple linear and curvilinear features appear on later aerial photographs, and probably represent a Roman field system. Fragments of Roman pottery and briquetage from salt production have also been found on the site.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TL59NW
Civil Parish UPWELL, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK
Civil Parish WELNEY, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

1956/7.
Cropmarks - Roman fields?
St Joseph aerial photographs (copy (S1)).
NB the cropmarks as drawn on (S2) do not correspond with the marks seen on unit aerial photographs.

1 July 1976. Ordnance Survey air photography. Site extended to Chestnut Farm.
Positive cropmarks.
Multiple linear curvilinear features.
The features in the south field are almost certainly Roman as they fit in with the layout visible to the southwest (NHER 2477). However the other two fields, particularly the northern most one show cropmarks that may be of a more recent origin.
D. Voisey (NLA), 27 February 1995.

4 August 1977.
Unit aerial photographs greatly extend area - runs on into Cambs.
J.E. Bown (NAU) 8 October 1980.

Pre 1946. Context 1 at 5038 9521.
Small barrow claimed at 52 32' 6" N: 13' 7" E.
See (S3) (calls 'Welney').
Ring ditches also claimed (haystack mounds?).
Checked by E. Rose (NAU); originally NCM cards by R.R. Clarke (NCM).
E. Rose (NAU).

No trace of barrow in ploughed field.
A.J. Lawson (NAU) 6 August 1978

20 April 1978. Surface find at grid ref TL 5045 9510.
Small scatter of 2nd to 4th century grey ware, coarse red gritted ware and briquetage.
Found by Ordnance Survey Inspector 'PAS'.
Information from (S4).
E. Rose (NAU) 28 February 1980.

TF 5045 9510 over an area of about 40.0m in diameter.
The sherds occurred at about 3 per sq.metre.
See (S4).
R.J. Rickett (NAU) 22 February 1990

September 2008. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site of proposed reservoir.
Several ditches identified that probably represent the remains of a post-medieval (17th or 18th century) pre-enclosure field system. At least one of these features appears to correspond with a previously identified cropmark.
See report (S5) and NHER 61162 for further details.
S. Howard (NLA), 5 November 2009. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 24 August 2015.

  • --- Aerial Photograph: OS 76-126-296.
  • --- Aerial Photograph: OS 76-126-297.
  • --- Aerial Photograph: Unit TL5095 D-M, St. Joseph UP58, BFP 2, OS 76/126 295-96, RAF/1634/1221.
  • --- Monograph: Phillips, C.W.. 1970. The Fenland in Roman Times.. p 235.
  • --- Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Bronze Age. Upwell.
  • --- Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Roman. Upwell.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • <S2> Map: NCM. NCM Record Map.
  • <S3> Article in Serial: Riley. 1946. Antiquity. Antiquity. Vol XX, no.79 p 153.
  • <S4> Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TL 59 NW 1.9 [2].
  • <S5> Unpublished Contractor Report: Atkins, R. 2008. Post-medieval pasture field system at Pates Farm, near Tipps End, Welney, Norfolk. Oxford Archaeology East. 1065.
  • BRIQUETAGE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Oct 10 2018 10:18AM

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