NHER 43762 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of undated field boundaries and ditches

March 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a group of undated field boundaries and linear ditches are visible on aerial photographs to the north and south of St. Mary’s Church, Hickling (S1-S2). Although undated it has been suggested that these ditches represent the fragments of a field system of pre-medieval date. The site is centred on TG 4154 2423, although this point does not correspond to an archaeological feature on the ground.

A scatter of medieval grimston ware pottery has been found to the south of the church (NHER 17983) and although this could indicate a comparable date for the cropmarks, the pottery is more likely to be medieval activity associated with the Church and the surrounding settlement. A metal detector survey was also undertaken to the north of the church to investigate whether any evidence of Middle Saxon or Late Saxon settlement existed (NHER 40162). However only medieval to post medieval finds were located.

None of these cropmarks appear to follow the same alignment as the lanes and field boundaries associated with the Church, which are likely to be of medieval origin. This would suggest that these cropmark ditches are earlier than medieval in date. Although it remains a possibility, there is nothing apparently Saxon in date visible on the aerial photographs, although field boundaries of this sort could be of any date. Another group of undated cropmark field boundaries identified within the southern field, but following a different alignment have been recorded under NHER 43747.

The site consists of a group of linear ditches all roughly following an alignment that is diagonal to the surrounding medieval to post medieval field boundaries. These fragmentary cropmarks have been interpreted as field boundaries revealing a former field system. This is particularly apparent in the cropmarks to the south of the site, centred on TG 4160 2401, where an arrangement of rectilinear fields is suggested by the field boundaries, the most complete example measuring approximately 92m by 62m.
S. Massey (NMP), 29 March 2005.