NHER 53292 (Monument record) - Soilmarks and cropmarks of probable medieval and post-medieval enclosures and boundaries

December 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The soilmarks and cropmarks of enclosures and boundaries of probable medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Abbot’s Farm, on the border of the Stoke Holy Cross, Poringland and Shotesham parishes (S1-S3). The site is centred on TG 2529 0011. The majority of the components of this site are visible as soilmarks in 1969 (S1). This run of photography is taken at high level and therefore does not show any great level of detail of the archaeological sites. It does however reveal a number of significant soilmarks of former banked boundaries and roads, to an extent that is not that as easily detectable on other aerial photographs. It may be that deeper ploughing has just taken place causing previously sub-surface layers to be cut into and redeposited during the ploughing and harrowing process. The soilmarks would appear to indicate the former presence of a series of banked boundaries, assumed to relate to medieval to post medieval date agricultural and land divisions. A number of the boundaries are depicted on the 1844 Stoke Holy Cross and Shotesham Tithe map (S4). A possible bank and ditch enclosure located within the northern part of the site, centred on TG 2547 0031, is visible as a combination of soilmarks and cropmarks (S1-S3). This possible enclosure is cut by the both of road and the Stoke Holy Cross and Poringland parish boundary, which would suggest that it is either earlier in date that medieval or that it represents two parallel sets of agricultural boundaries and not an enclosed area of land.
S. Horlock (NMP), 29 December 2009.