NHER 50992 (Cropmark and Earthwork) - Linear and curvilinear ditches of unknown date visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs

October 2008. Norfolk NMP.
Linear and curvilinear ditches, perhaps enclosures, of unknown date, are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs (S1). The cropmarks, which are centred at TG 2608 1384, are only visible on one set of aerial photographs (S1), and their identification and interpretations is consequently uncertain. It is possible that these features represent enclosure ditches, and their form is reminiscent of Iron Age and/or Roman period field systems and enclosures recorded elsewhere in Norfolk, in fact their alignment appears broadly similar to that of a postulated Iron Age to Roman period field system approximately 1km to the southeast (NHER 50744) but despite metal detecting and intensive fieldwalking over this area (NHER 35113), no material of this date has been recovered. A post medieval date, therefore, in keeping with enclosure located immediately to the west at Beeston Park (NHER 50991) cannot be ruled out.

The cropmarks appear to represent more than one phase of activity on the site, as there is a considerable amount of overlap between the different features. The ditch aligned north-west to south-east (visible between TG 2603 1388 and TG 2616 1380) appears to be overlain by the slightly broader (approximately 2.8m wide) north-south ditch (visible between TG 2612 1374 and TG 2613 1388), at which point it appears to be cut in turn by a further section of ditch, on a slightly different alignment, which then turns a right-angle at approximately TG 2613 1393 before continuing to the east.
E. Bales, (NMP) 29 October 2008.