NHER 49240 (Monument record) - Medieval to post medieval drainage features

May 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks and vegetation marks of a series of medieval to post medieval drainage ditches and embankments are visible on aerial photographs on Fritton Marshes (S1-S3). The earthworks of salterns, a former drainage pump and possible riverside industrial features were also tentatively identified.

The majority of the drainage ditches within the interior of the marsh are relatively sinuous and irregular in shape and are likely to have developed from natural drainage creeks. The drains and embankments on the edge of the marsh, those located adjacent to the River Waveney, are more regular and rectilinear. This would suggest that they represent more recent drainage features associated with flood management of the main river channel. However the northern group of channels and embankments, centred on TG 4500 0085, are relatively closely-set and are associated with a series of angular pits and small subdivided areas (S2). This has the appearance of relating to something more specific than mere drainage or flood management. It could be suggested that these earthworks are the remains of a riverside industry or activity, although the exact function of these features is currently not known.

At TG 4540 0086 is a possible low mound forming an irregular kidney-shape. This may be the remains of a saltern mound, possibly dating to the late Saxon to medieval period, however the example is not one of the most convincing mapped within this part of the marshes, for example see NHER 49235-6. At TG 4525 0088 are the earthwork remains of a building platform probably for a drainage pump or mill.
S. Massey (NMP), 28 May 2008.

June-October 2011. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of works undertaken as part of the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project.
Although a new drainage dyke coincided with several of the features in this group an intermittent watching brief maintained during its excavation recorded no associated remains.
See report (S4) and NHER 67583 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 20 November 2023.