NHER 44910 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of enclosures, fields and trackways of unknown date

August 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of enclosures, fields and trackways of unknown date are visible on aerial photographs in former arable to the south of Oaklands Farm, Aldeby (S1-S5). The site probably represents several phases of fields and ditched boundaries, although the majority of these features appear to form a possible field system of potentially late prehistoric to Roman date. A rectilinear enclosure that obviously dates to a different phase, centred on TM 4664 9278, has been recorded separately under NHER 44912. A Roman pot has been found to the south of this area (NHER 15125). Large parts of this site have since been quarried away with the expansion of the Aldeby Quarry. The site is centred on TM 4668 9279.

The site consists of a complex of linear ditches, the majority of which are aligned NW-SE and NE-SW and are likely to represent former field boundaries. These cropmarks are quite fragmentary and probably represents several phases of a field system, which although undated, could be late prehistoric to Roman in date. A slightly curvilinear double ditched feature running from TM 4680 9274 to TM 4686 9267 is likely to form part of a trackway. Another possible trackway, running perpendicular to that, may be suggested by the cropmarks to the north, from TM 4684 9274 to 4688 9284. Other double ditched linears are recorded at TM 4649 9280, TM 4659 9273, TM 4663 9264, TM 4674 9259 and TM 4680 9267.

At TM 4679 9265 is a possible trapezoidal enclosure, measuring 48m by 22-38m (S5). A trackway or double ditched linear appears to form the eastern side, although the cropmarks are too fragmentary to be certain of this relationship. Within the interior of this incomplete enclosure is a small rectangular ditched feature, approximately 6m by 7m. Although the ditches of the two features are not aligned the same, suggesting that they represent two phases of activity. Another possible rectangular enclosure may be visible to the north of the road at TM 4660 9295, measuring 50m by at least 60m, although again the cropmarks are too fragmentary to be certain (S2).

In addition to the ditches aligned NW-SE and NE-SW, which are likely to be broadly contemporary, there are also a number of ditches that appear to be unrelated and are probably of a different date. The cutting of some ditches across others, such as the irregular linear running from TM 4673 9272 to TM 4674 9262, suggests that several phases of boundaries and ditch digging. A rectilinear enclosure that obviously represented a discrete phases, centred on TM 4664 9278, has been recorded separately under NHER 44912.
S. Massey (NMP), 03 August 2006.