NHER 49680 (Cropmark and Earthwork) - Cropmarks of probable Iron Age to Roman enclosures and field boundaries

June 2007. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of enclosures and field boundaries of probable Iron Age to Roman date are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Loddon Road, Haddiscoe ((S1)-(S4)). The site is centred on TM 4372 9710. The site consists of a series of rectangular and rectilinear enclosures and field boundaries, many of which appear to be of the same phase, although it is clear that the cropmarks grouped together under this number are multi-phase, in particular those to the northeast of the site. Roman and Saxon finds in the general vicinity of the site (NHER 24146 and 28212).
The main component of the site is group of a conjoined rectangular enclosures and boundaries centred on TM 4364 9713 and measuring 115m by 105m. Located within these enclosures are two small square enclosures, 8-13m across, and an incomplete ring ditch, 10m in diameter (S3). The larger of the two enclosures appears to be conjoined to the main enclosure boundaries and is therefore likely to be contemporary. It is hard to be certain of whether the other two features are definitely of the same phase. Another small enclosure, 6m across, is conjoined to what would appear to be an outer boundary. Although, due to the fragmentary nature of the cropmarks, this is uncertain. Another enclosure, 8.5m across, is also visible to the south of the site. It seems likely given the enclosure context that these small enclosures are represent areas demarcated for a specific function within the wider enclosed space, this may be associated with domestic activities or perhaps stock management. It must however be noted that a similarly sized square enclosure has been identified approximately 550m to the west within a more funerary context (NHER 49666) and this has tentatively been interpreted as being the possibly remains of an Iron Age or Roman funerary enclosure or square barrow, although this is by no means certain. The ring ditch may be the remains of the eavesdrip gully of a late prehistoric to Roman date roundhouse.
It is possible that some of the linears mapped may be medieval to post medieval in date, in particular those running broadly perpendicular or parallel to the existing field boundaries.
S. Horlock (NMP), 29 June 2007.

July 2008. Geomagnetic Survey.
Geomagnetic survey south of Loddon road detected archaeological features over most of the area which correspond to the cropmark evidence.
A series of linear positive magnetic anomalies have been interpreted as soil-filled ditches forming part of a rectilinear field system aligned approximately north-south and east-west as well as possible enclosures. At least two phases of land use are evident. The features appear to form parts of at least two large enclosures or fields, one of which may be subdivided, with a possible smaller enclosure towards the centre of the area. More highly magnetic readings on the east side of the survey area indicate the presence of fired material within the ditch fills. Several discrete positive magnetic anomalies in the eastern portion of the site have been interpreted as possible soil-filled features, including possible pits.
Other linear anomalies have been interpreted as possible post medieval field boundaries, trackways or hollow ways, and plough furrows.
See NHER 51817 and (S5) for details.
H. Hamilton (NLA), 12 February 2009.

November - December 2008. Trial trenching.
Several of the linear features recorded in this area by the NMP were encountered during trial trenching. Some of these features contained dating evidence from the Roman, Late Saxon, medieval and post-medieval periods, although most contained no dating evidence.
See NHER 51817, NHER 52651 and (S6) for further information.
A. Cattermole (NLA), 14 September 2009.

November 2025. HER Enhancement: Forestry Commission Project K.
The cropmarks of enclosures and field boundaries of probable Iron Age to Roman date mapped by the previous NMP survey (see above) are also visible on aerial photographs from 2011 (S7) and 2022 (S8). Additional linear ditch features (not mapped by the NMP survey) which may be associated with this site are also visible on S7-S8 centred at approximately TM 4350 9708.
J. Powell (Norfolk County Council Environment Service), 14 November 2025