NHER 44892 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of curvilinear enclosure of unknown date

July 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a curvilinear enclosure of unknown definite date are visible on aerial photographs to the immediate south of Sandy Lane, Aldeby (S1). The site is centred on TM 4605 9541. This site is located within the area of several other groups of cropmark enclosures and fields (NHER 44888, 12139, 44887 and 44890), which are thought to date to the late prehistoric to post medieval periods. All of these cropmarks are also located within a larger multi-phase cropmark complex, see NHER 44891 for details.

The eastern side of the enclosure possibly lines up with a field boundary, recorded under NHER 44887, and interpreted as being post medieval in date. It is therefore possible that the entire enclosure is post medieval or even medieval in date, although it would be quite an irregular plan and positioning for a feature of this date. The morphology of this enclosure would fit better with a late prehistoric or Iron Age date. The alignment of the enclosure is the same as the probable Roman farmstead or settlement (NHER 44888) and the associated fields to the north (NHER 44889), therefore it is possible that it associated with that phase of the site, although the curvilinear plan seems a little irregular when compared with the rest of the enclosures. It is possible that it is an earlier landscape element that has been incorporated into the more planned features.

The cropmarks indicate a possible curvilinear enclosure, measuring approximately 90m by 115m (S1). The enclosure is roughly oblong in shape with curved corners. A possible trackway or boundary appears to lead to the northwestern corner of the enclosure. A conjoined L-shaped ditch at TM 4607 9545 may indicate the presence of a small annex to the north, 11m across. A potentially similar feature may be visible on the eastern side of the enclosure at TM 4610 9540, although these slightly curvilinear linears are less convincing as archaeological features and may be geological in origin.
S. Massey (NMP), 28 July 2006.