NHER 49245 (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 (S1-S3) on Langley Marshes, in particular in the area of Raven Hall. A series of small circular depressions are likely to represent the remains of World War Two bomb craters.

The earthworks reveal a complex area of drainage ditches and possible enclosed areas representing several phases. Many of these, in particular the more irregular and curvilinear elements would appear to represent the remains of former natural tidal creeks and channels. There were no Tithe or Enclosure maps available for this area at the time of recording and therefore little definite dating or phasing of components can be attempted. Although most pre-date the drainage systems, tracks and enclosures depicted on the Ordnance Survey first edition map. By this date it would appear that more rectilinear dykes have superseded many of the irregular and curvilinear components. It is likely that many of the drains and boundaries immediately around Raven Hall, which dates to at least 1700 and is possibly early seventeenth century (NHER 39267), are associated with the improvement of the land belonging to the property.

Several enclosed areas are apparent and these may represent specific stock enclosures within the grazing land on the Langley marshes, such as that centred on TG 4623 0416 adjacent to the River Yare. The dykes and earthwork in this area are likely to form a continuation of some of the features recorded under NHER 49244. It is assumed given the landscape history of this area that the majority of these features must post-date the silting of the estuary in the post-Roman period, although the proximity of the Burgh Castle fort (NHER 10471) must be noted.
S. Massey (NMP), 28 May 2008.