NHER 49210 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of possible rectangular post-built structure of unknown date

Some of these cropmarks have previously been recorded under NHER 17261.

November 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a possible rectangular post-built structure of unknown, but possibly Roman or Saxon date, are visible on aerial photographs within the cropmarks to the east of Burgh Castle Roman fort (S1-S3). The site is centred on TG 4787 0457. It is possible that this structure is associated with the Roman vicus (NHER 49204), although it appears to relate more closely to the plan of a series of undated enclosures (NHER 49205). A Saxon date has been suggested for this phase of the site and this could suggest that the post-built structure is a Saxon long house. Burgh Castle is traditionally held as the location of the Middle Saxon monastery founded by St Fursey in the early 7th century (NHER 10471) and Saxon date material and buildings have been recovered during excavations within the fort. Finds of early to late Saxon date have also been found to the east of the fort (NHER 17261).

A number of pits are visible within this area of this site and it is possible that some of these are of natural origin and some may be the product of small-scale extraction, see NHER 49203 for details. However the clustering of many of the small pits within the vicus enclosures would suggest that they are archaeological. Some of the pits appear to relate to post-built structures. One of these is centred on TG 4787 0457 and is quite large, 26m by 12m and consisting of 25 pits or post holes (S1-S3). A narrow ditch can be seen linking up a number of the pits. The plan indicated by the pits appears to suggest a slightly bowed appearance to the walls of the structure, with a possible projected end or porch-like structure on the southwestern corner.

It is not immediately clear which phase of the site this feature is related to, although it is possible that a ditch, seemingly of the same phase as the vicus cropmarks (NHER 49204), either overlies it or is overlain by it. The relationship is hard to establish from the aerial photographs, largely due to the faintness of the cropmarks in this area and the fact that not all of the features are visible on all of the photographs. Judging by the plan and orientation of the possible structure it would appear to be associated with the enclosures to the immediate east, those recording under NHER 49205. The date of these cropmarks is not certain, although a Saxon date has been suggested and this may fit with the plan of the possible post-built structure. However the large size of the site, in particular the 12m roof span would be unusual for a structure of this date. A late Saxon hall of comparable length excavated at Goltho in Lincolnshire only has a width of 8m (S4). One of the timber halls from Cheddar is of a similar width, and measuring approximately 20m, although this appears to have an inner line of posts and very elongated post slots, which suggests that the roof had additional support (S4). The inwardly bowing the walls does not appear to be reflected in other halls of this size and date, although one wall of the comparable Goltho hall does bow very slightly inwards (S4).

The large size of this apparent structure could indicate that it does not represent a roofed structure, it may be a pit-defined or fenced enclosure of some sort. Although it would be unusual to have such large pits defining such a feature.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 November 2006.