NHER 38709 (Monument record) - Probably medieval or post medieval enclosure

August 2004. Norfolk NMP.
Cropmarks of an incomplete rectilinear enclosure and field boundary ditches of probable medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1 and 2, S5). These cropmarks were previously recorded as part of NHER 21774. A cropmark of three sides of a rectilinear enclosure measuring 79m by at least 82m is centred on TG35682967. The southern side of the enclosure is not visible and may be obscured by a change of soil type adjacent to a stream or formed by the watercourse itself. Two field boundary ditches extend northwards for up to 50m from the northern side of the enclosure. The western side of the enclosure and the ditch continuing its line to the north survive as a field boundary on the East Ruston tithe map of 1841 and second edition 25 inch Ordnance Survey map (S3 and 4). The rest of the enclosure is not depicted on these maps and had presumably gone by that date. The ditch forming the western side of the enclosure was visible as an earthwork in pasture on 1946 RAF aerial photographs (S2). The survival of the western side of the enclosure as a field boundary into the early 20th century suggests that it is likely to be of medieval to post medieval date. However, an earlier date cannot be completely ruled out. A cropmark of a similar enclosure is present 480m to the southwest (NHER 38708)
(S1 to 5).
J. Albone (NMP), 12 August 2004.