NHER 50811 (Monument record) - Site of complex, multi-period field boundaries, trackways and enclosures

February 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks described below incorporate all or part of sites previously recorded as NHER 36447 (the postulated pit alignment, more probably just a ditch), 36449, 21851, 29561, 50599 and 51021. This record is the parent record for NHER 50817, 50826, 50825, 50818, 36449, 36448 and 50812.

An extensive group of complex, multi-period field systems, trackways and enclosures is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs (S1)-(S13), centred at TG 2773 1526. For the group as a whole, a broad date range, spanning the Iron Age to post medieval period, can be postulated. Finds dating from the Mesolithic to the post medieval period have been recovered from the area (e.g. NHER 19345-6). Many of the cropmarks can be assigned to a particular phase, whether of postulated Iron Age to Roman date (NHER 50818), medieval to post medieval date (NHER 36449 and 50825-6), or post medieval date (NHER 50817, 50812 and 36448), and these have been recorded individually. Those of medieval to early post medieval date may relate to the former village of Rackheath (see NHER 50825). Others cropmarks, included only in this general record, are less easy to interpret, and in some cases may be of non-archaeological origin. In particular, those to the southeast of Church Farm and to the south of Swash Lane are of doubtful significance. The parallel ditches or trackway recorded immediately to the west of Rackheath Church (formerly numbered NHER 12630) look modern. The cropmarks surround what appear to be earlier prehistoric monuments, including a possible Neolithic mortuary enclosure or long barrow (NHER 51021) and two possibly Bronze Age enclosures (NHER 29561 and 50758). There is also possible evidence of World War Two military activity in the area (NHER 50844). A period (or periods) of use contemporary with some of the multi-phase cropmarks (NHER 50802 and 50805) identified to the west of Dobbs’ Beck is probable, but the nature of any relationship is not clear.
Also see (S14)
S. Tremlett (NMP), 15 February 2008.

February 2022. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site at Rackheath.
This survey saw the examination of a field to the east of the Wroxham Road and small portions of the fields to the west of the road. Although a group of cropmarks at TG 2790 1454 fell within the areas examined no corresponding anomalies were identified.
See NHERs 67561 and 67562 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 November 2023.