NHER 50870 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of field boundaries of possible Iron Age, Roman and Saxon date

Some components of this site were formerly recorded under NHER 17229 and 51069.

March 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a series of fragmentary ditches, probably represent the remains of former field boundaries and trackways of Roman date, are visible on aerial photographs to the north of Billingford Covert and Common Farm, Billingford (S1-S3). The site is centred on TG 0204 1981. These boundaries would appear to be associated and broadly contemporary with a Roman road (NHER 51069), which bisects the site. Although the majority of the cropmarks follow the dominant alignment dictated by the Roman road, some elements of the site would appear to follow a different alignment. These are likely to represent with pre-Roman or post-Roman features. Finds in the area range in date from Iron Age, Roman and Saxon periods (NHER 17229).

The site consists of a dispersed group of fragmentary ditches, which are likely to represent the remains of former agricultural boundaries, or where double ditched, trackways. The western part of this site is located approximately 600m from the fields and enclosures forming part of the Roman town at Billingford (NHER 7206). It is possible that the majority of these fragmentary field boundaries formed part of a contemporary agricultural landscape.
S. Massey (NMP), 03 March 2008.