NHER 26798 (Monument record) - Earthworks of possible post medieval extraction pits

Norfolk NMP. April 2002
A strip of probable extraction pits of a possible post-medieval date is visible running along the coast in the northern extent of the Snettisham parish (S1). The function of these features is not immediately clear. They may be related to a coastal industry such as salt, oysters and fishing. However the cut areas seem reasonably fresh on the 1946 RAF photographs (S1), and these features run alongside the minefield and associated bank (SMR 26615). Although the minefield continues over the southern most scoop, indicating that they pre-date the World War Two activity. The shallow scoops appear more like extractive pits; again this may be related to salt works, such as salt pans and brine pits.
Site consists of a strip, 755m long, of clusters of contiguous, elongated scoops. These depressions vary in size and shape, although most are elongated linear scoops, ranging from 18m by 11m to 88m by 20m. The features towards the southern end of the group are slightly more irregular and amorphous in shape. These are also broader, up to 34m across. Within these larger conjoined cut features are individual scoops, separated by slight ridges.
S. Massey (NMP), 16th April 2002.