NHER 50944 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of probable Roman date enclosures and field boundaries

March 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of enclosures and field boundaries of probable Roman date are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Thieves’ Bridge Road, Watlington (S1). These cropmarks would appear to be an extension of the late Iron Age to Roman settlement at 60 Acre Field and Police House Field, Watlington (NHER 39457-8). The cropmarks relating to the late Iron Age to Roman phases of this site are recorded under NHER 50966.

The site consists of a fragmentary rectilinear enclosure with apparent subdivisions, approximately 60m across (S2). A number of other boundaries and pits seemingly related have also been grouped into this site. Any fragmentary ditches following a different alignment and possibly representing pre-Roman activity and settlement have been recorded under NHER 50943. It is worth noting that this enclosure and associated ditches all follow a similar alignment to the surrounding post medieval field layout, as does the excavated Roman settlement to the north. It is possible that these cropmarks may have been dismissed as being former post medieval field boundaries had it not been for the evidence produced for Roman boundaries along this alignment to the immediate north.
S. Massey (NMP), 05 March 2008.