NHER 27001 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Possible medieval or post medieval field system

September 2002. Norfolk NMP.
Large group of possible cropmark field boundaries, measuring just over 1km east to west and approximately 700m north to south, visible on 1946 RAF aerial photographs (S1) and Hunting Survey photographs from 1969 (S2). These boundaries are mainly showing as soilmarks and cropmarks of ditches, although there are one or two banked components. The width of the ditches varies massively from 4m to just over 30m in some cases. This is undoubtedly due to the spreading of the ditch material by the plough. However it is possible, due to their width, that these are natural gullies, which just appear to form a very regular pattern. If these are archaeological features, then these ditches appear to be dividing the land up into a chain of rectangular fields, averaging about 12m by 150m. From TF 8205 4274 to TF 8214 4300 is a closely set bank and ditch, 270m long. The parched linear is approximately 4, across and is flanked by a ditch either side, up 1.5m wide. It seems likely that this is a compacted trackway. Also to the far east of the site are two other banked boundaries. The main one runs from TF 8307 4300 to TF 8311 4337, this is 365m long and up to 7m wide. Near to the end of this feature is another bank of similar width which forms an L shape from TF 8312 4327 to TF 8310 4337, at which point it meets the modern road. It is possible that these linears were once part of the same feature, which may have been a banked boundary, possibly a hedgeline, or even a slightly banked or compacted track. It seems likely that this field system developed in the late medieval to post medieval period. However, due to the possibility that some or all of these features may be caused by the undulating ground and geology, then any dating and archaeological origin must be done with caution.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 September 2002.