NHER 49311 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Undated and multi-period field boundaries

March 2007. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a group of undated and multi-period ditches, probably former field boundaries, some of which may be Iron Age to Roman in date, are visible on aerial photographs to the north of Plumsgate Road, Sutton (S1-S4). The site is centred on TG 3800 2253.

The site consists of a dispersed group of fragmentary ditches, the majority of which appear to form former field boundaries and, where double ditched, trackways. Some of these ditches may have defined enclosures, such as at TG 3777 2241 (S1-S3), although this may have been agricultural rather than for occupation. The majority of the ditches mapped are roughly aligned either northwest to southeast or northeast to southwest and are likely to be the fragmentary remains of field boundaries of possible late prehistoric to Roman date. No dating material exists for the area of the cropmarks, although a Bronze Age palstave was found to west of site (NHER 28439) and a Roman coin recovered to the south (NHER 22232). Similarly aligned field boundaries have been recorded nearby (NHER 11669 and 49322). It seems likely that these field boundaries represent several phases of enclosure.

One of the features, a L-shaped ditch centred on TG 3814 2265, follows a noticeably different alignment to the majority of the boundaries, and is therefore likely to be of a different date (S4). The shorter section of ditch follows a similar alignment to that of the post medieval drainage ditches to the north, however it shows no signs of definite being that date, as it appears to be cut by other post medieval-modern field boundaries. A small square enclosure to the immediate northeast of the boundary (NHER 49323) appears to have shared alignment with this ditch and may be contemporary. Although of unknown definite and date and significance, it is possible that this small square enclosure represents the remains of an Iron Age square barrow, see NHER 49323 for details.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 March 2007.