NHER 44932 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of a possible field system and enclosures of unknown, but possibly Iron Age to Roman date

August 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a possible field system and enclosures of unknown, but possibly Iron Age to Roman date, are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Boon’s Heath in the Burgh St Peter and Aldeby parishes (S1-S2). The site is centred on TM 4706 9241. The site consists of a complex of linear ditches, the majority of which are likely to represent former field boundaries and possible trackways. These cropmarks are quite fragmentary and probably represents several phases of development within a small field system, which although undated, could be Iron Age to Roman in date, although a Bronze Age origin to the site is a possibility. A Roman pot has been found in west of this site (NHER 15125). Other fragmentary field systems have been identified on the aerial photographs to the west (NHER 44942), to the east (NHER 44923) and to the north (NHER 44910). It is possible that all of these cropmarks are related and many elements may be contemporary. However the ditches to the immediate south of Boon’s Heath are alignment slightly differently. Other unphased cropmark ditches identified within the area of this site are recorded under NHER 44941.

The easternmost components of this site are within the area of a watching brief undertaken as part of the Shrublands Quarry extension, see NHER 35652 for details. Other phases of this archaeological work is recorded under NHER 31317, 36668. Other than a post medieval field boundary (NHER 16003 and 35652), the only ditch that was excavated was located to the east of this site within NHER 31317 (S3; context 24). This was heavily truncated by the surface stripping undertaken by the contractors, with only 10cm of the sub-surface feature remaining. The feature was reported to have continued to the east, towards the location of the cropmarks, although this section of the ditch was completely removed during the surface scraping without any archaeological investigation. Sub-surface features recorded within NHER 35652 were also described as being truncated and many of the excavated features were extremely shallow (S4-S5). It is therefore possible that other shallow features have been destroyed completely. For discussion of the fragmentary cropmarks recorded within this eastern area see NHER 44941. Metal detecting, fieldwalking and excavation to the east recovered evidence for Bronze Age activity and possible occupation, plus a number of medieval finds and post medieval field boundaries (NHER 31317, 35652, 36668). No ditches or boundaries were found in direct association with the Bronze Age pits and finds scatters.

This site is located on the former southwestern edge of Burgh Common. It has been suggested that this is former heathland, enclosed in 1811, may be a remnant of ancient grazing land, possibly dating back to the prehistoric period, see NHER 31317 (S6). The presence of possible late prehistoric or Roman date fields within the extent of the former heath would potentially imply that the origins of this common grazing may not be as ancient as previously thought.

At TM 4698 9238 is a rectangular enclosed area, measuring 20m by at least 25m. The enclosure is open to the south. A ditch 34m to the south may indicate the southern boundary, although the cropmarks are too fragmentary to be certain. Another possible enclosure, again incomplete and of similar dimensions is visible at TM 4705 9237. It is not clear whether these enclosed areas represent domestic spaces, stock enclosures or agricultural fields. A number of the linear features are double ditched, such as at TM 4698 9247 and TM 4709 9240.
S. Massey (NMP), 14 August 2006.