NHER 44942 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of a field system and enclosures of potential late prehistoric to Roman date

August 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a possible field system and enclosures of unknown, but potentially late prehistoric to Roman date are visible within arable to the south of Aldeby quarry (S1-S4). The site is centred on TM 4638 9231, although this point does not correspond to an archaeological feature on the ground. The northwestern part of this site has now been quarried away. Other unphased cropmark ditches identified within the area of this site are recorded under NHER 44941.

The site is quite fragmentary and dispersed and probably represents several phases of development within a small field system, which although undated, could be late prehistoric to Roman in date. The features have been grouped together due to their shared alignment. The majority of the linear ditches are aligned either NW-SE or NE-SW. The cropmarks are broadly arranged into two clusters, one centred on TM 4607 9243 and TM 4669 9228. A Roman pot has been found to the north of this site (NHER 15125). Another fragmentary field system has been identified on the aerial photographs to the north (NHER 44910). It is possible that all of these cropmarks are related and many elements may be contemporary.

To the northwest of the site centred on TM 4606 9245 is a possible elongated enclosure or field, potentially measuring 110m by 60m (S2, S4). Other sections of rectilinear cropmark features in this area may indicate further enclosures, although the cropmarks are too fragmentary to be certain of their archaeological significance. The oblique photograph coverage for this area is quite poor and it is hard to discern the archaeological features from the geological cropmarks that are also present. To the southeast, centred on TM 4668 9230, is a possible incomplete sub-rectangular enclosure, measuring 42m by 38m (S3). Although a background of geological cropmarks in this area of the site again makes definite identification of archaeological features quite problematic.
S. Massey (NMP), 14 August 2006.