NHER 49596 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Site of multi-period field boundaries, trackways and enclosures

July 2007. Norfolk NMP.
Some of the cropmarks described below were previously recorded as part of NHER 19566.

An extensive group of multi-period cropmarks is visible on aerial photographs (S1)-(S5), centred at TM 3360 9985. All or most of the cropmarks probably represent various field boundaries, trackways and enclosures. Some are certainly of post medieval date, as they correspond with field boundaries depicted on Thurton Enclosure Map (S6). Variations in character and orientation indicate that others date to a different, almost certainly earlier, period. For example, the relatively substantial ditch (at least in part) visible between TM 3343 9996 and TM 3328 9990, which may represent one side of an enclosure, could plausibly be of Iron Age and/or Roman date, together with other features in the vicinity which appear to be of the same phase. The distinctions between the different phases, however, are not clear-cut. One boundary, which seems to fit the post medieval pattern of enclosure, appears to respect two ring ditches which are also visible here as cropmarks (NHER 49597). Some of the ditches mapped in the southern part of the site (around TM 3355 9964) may represent drainage features, whether natural or man-made, of little archaeological significance.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 20 July 2007.