NHER 49251 (Monument record) - Post medieval shellfish beds or extractive pits

May 2008. Norfolk NMP.
A group of rectangular water-filled pits or troughs, probably post medieval to early twentieth century date fish or shellfish storage pits or tanks, are visible on aerial photographs alongside the River Yare (S1).
The condition of the site makes it hard to confidently identify the character and construction of the troughs. They may be revetted with timber, although a stone component cannot be ruled out. The pits, tanks or troughs vary in size from 4m by 2.3m to 13m by 6m. The larger compartments are located on the western side and the smaller sections are to the east, adjacent to the riverbank. The pits appear to be partially silted up, with only the western sections still remaining water-filled. This suggests that the site has not been actively maintained for a reasonable length of time.
An alternative interpretation is that the pits relate to extraction, perhaps related to brick making, or some other riverside industry. The structure of the site would suggest the storage of something in water, rather than an extractive process.
S. Massey (NMP), 29 May 2008.