NHER 43752 (Cropmark and Earthwork) - Cropmarks of enclosures of possible Roman or post medieval date

June 2006. Norfolk NMP
Cropmarks of undated, possibly Roman or post medieval, enclosures and linear ditches are visible on aerial photographs (S1). These cropmarks are centred on TM 3027 9333 immediately to the north of Stone Street Roman road (NHER 10636). Three possible rectilinear enclosures are present arranged roughly perpendicular to the road. All of these enclosures are incomplete. The smallest, which lies adjacent to the road, has a trapezoidal plan and measures 77m by 42m. Adjoining its northeast side is a larger enclosure measuring 89m by at least 73m. The third possible enclosure also has a trapezoidal plan and dimensions of 78m by up to 92m. This enclosure also lies adjacent to the road. A short section of linear ditch cropmark is also present in the northwest of the group on an alignment perpendicular to the road. It is possible that this ditch corresponds to a field boundary marked on the first edition 6 inch Ordnance Survey map (S2). Although the enclosures lies on a broadly similar alignment, they do not relate to field boundaries shown on this map or the 1839 Hedenham tithe map (S3). It is possible that the enclosures are of an earlier post medieval date, and they could relate to the adjacent brickworks (NHER 13642). However, the presence of Roman pottery kilns and a cemetery (NHER 10595) on the opposite side of the Roman road mean it is also possible that the enclosures are of that date.
J. Albone (NMP), 12 June 2006