NHER 27309 (Monument record) - Possible Iron Age to Roman field system

September 2005. Norfolk NMP.
Cropmarks of undated and fragmentary linear ditches, possibly representing part of a field system, are visible on aerial photographs near the coast at Waxham. It is possible that elements of this site date to the Iron Age or Romano-British period, finds of this date have been found in the general vicinity (NHER 8361, 33157). Two possible enclosures were identified within the larger spread of possible field boundaries. The northern part of this site is seemingly overlain by a post medieval field system (NHER 27305). This site is centred on TG 4443 2589, although the features are spread over several fields to either side of the track.

This fragmentary and dispersed site consists of linear ditches generally aligned northwest to southeast. One linear is noticeably more substantial than the rest, being 180m long and up to 3m wide, running from TG 4432 2613 to TG 4441 2597. Centred on TG 4419 2622 is a possible enclosure or field, measuring potentially 62m by 50m. It not clear whether the gaps in the ditch are actual entrances or breaks in the cropmark. To the south of this are two roughly parallel linears, which may represent part of a trackway.

To the east of the site is another possible enclosure, centred on TG 4464 2584, measuring 25m by 17m. At TG 4447 2567 is pair of linears, which again may relate to a trackway. This appears to have a conjoined linear, possibly forming a curvilinear annexed enclosure. Although the cropmarks in this area were not as clear as in other areas, there is a possibility that not all of them are of archaeological origin. Also given the obvious need for drainage in this area it is possible that some of these features relate to drainage.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 September 2005.