NHER 50958 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of a rectangular enclosure of possible Roman or medieval to post medieval date

March 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of rectangular enclosure of possible Roman or medieval to post medieval date is visible on aerial photographs to the west of the Stoke Road at Oakhurst, Wormegay (S1). This site is centred on TF 6487 1025. Although a historic date is considered most likely, due to the enclosures relationship to the surrounding field layout, finds of a Roman date within the general vicinity of the site (NHER 28853) could indicate a Roman date. The enclosure is also located approximately 1.5km from the late Iron Age to Roman settlement at Watlington (NHER 39458). Cropmarks definitely thought to date to pre-medieval activity have been recorded under NHER 50957. Another possible medieval enclosure was identified on the aerial photographs approximately 300m to the southeast (NHER 50938). Cropmarks appearing to relate to relatively late post medieval field boundaries, which overlie this enclosure, have been omitted from the mapping.

The cropmarks consists of an enclosure measuring 26m by 10m, with a second enclosure, 30m long, to the immediate south. It is likely that these two components were conjoined. This enclosure appears to be broadly aligned the same as the existing field boundaries to the north and south of the site and another N-S running boundary visible on aerial photographs, but not mapped. It is therefore possible that this feature is broadly historic in date. However it is worth noting that the Roman settlement to the west at Watlington is also aligned the same as the surrounding fields and roads.
S. Massey (NMP), 05 March February 2008.