NHER 44900 (Monument record) - Undated linear and curvilinear cropmarks north of Heath Road

July 2006. Norfolk NMP.
Some of the cropmarks described below were previously recorded as part of NHER 40655.

A group of undated linear and curvilinear cropmarks and soilmarks is visible on aerial photographs (S1)-(S3), centred at TG 4404 1613. Some may be contemporary with two nearby ring ditches (NHER 40655), which themselves are of probable Bronze Age date. Others share their orientation with a nearby trackway (NHER 44897) and may be contemporary features, but as the trackway may have remained in use from the later prehistoric period to the post medieval it is impossible to say with which phase they might be associated. A rectilinear pattern visible between TG 4408 1616 and TG 4415 1617 has been interpreted as a possible cursus monument (see NHER 40655) but this suggestion seems unlikely given its size, alignment with the modern field boundary to its east, and the general character of the cropmark. It is more likely to be relatively modern in origin, and perhaps associated with the curvilinear trackway depicted in this area on Rollesby Enclosure Map (S4).

It should be noted that the oblique digital photograph of the site (S3) was used for mapping but could not be rectified properly due to a lack of suitable control points. This may have had an adverse effect on the accuracy of the mapping. In addition, further archaeological cropmarks may be visible on the 1946 vertical photographs of the site (S1) but as they could not be distinguished from recent agricultural marks they were consequently not mapped by the NMP. Conversely, some of the mapped cropmarks may not be of archaeological origin.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 31 July 2006.