NHER 50926 (Monument record) - Earthworks of possible medieval road and post medieval boundaries and enclosures

March 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of a possible medieval road and/or boundary ditch and a series of post medieval boundaries, enclosures and field boundaries are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Whin Common, Tottenhill (S1-S2). The site is centred on TF 6392 1093. The majority of these earthworks have since been plough levelled or built upon.

The site consists of two phases of earthworks, both though to be broadly medieval and post medieval in date. The earliest phases would appear to be a boundary ditch and or road/track that runs across the northern part of the site. It is possible that this marks the route an earlier road as depicted on Faden’s of 1797 (S3). Ditches running parallel to this are visible 75m to the south. By the time Bryant’s map of 1826 is surveyed this road has been altered to follow it’s present course (S4). It is interesting to note that this diagonal road or boundary mirrors that of a possible enclosure located on Whin Common to the north (NHER 50935). The remainder of the site, thought to date to the post medieval period, consists of a group of rectangular ditched enclosures and field boundaries that follow the surrounding property and road layout. These enclosures are all surviving as earthworks in 1946, but have been either ploughed or built on by 1988 (S5). It is possible that the northern boundary or road may survive as low earthworks, but this is not certain.
S. Massey (NMP), 05 March 2008.