NHER 53314 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of linear banks or roads

November 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The parchmarks of linear banks or roads of either Roman or medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S3) to the west and east of Alpington Hall (NHER 9922). The site is centred on TG 2911 0103. The site consists of two separate linear parchmarks. The eastern one, which is up to 7m across and flanked by a ditch either side, runs parallel to Church Meadow Lane to the north. The western parchmark, which is of comparable width to the eastern one, is considerably less clear, but is faintly visible on two years’ photography (S1-S3). While it is possible that both of these parchmarks relate to former field boundary banks that pre-date the nineteenth boundaries depicted on the Tithe map (S4), it is feasible given the comparable width that both of the parchmarks relate to a former continuous road or track that pre-dates seventeenth century Alpington Hall and the current road layout. It is possible that this road was associated with the former site of Alpington Church approximately 100m to the north (NHER 9913). An alternative interpretation is that it represents the remains of a road of Roman date (see NHER 53218 for a nearby Roman road). However there is no definite evidence to suggest that this possible stretch of road or banks is of a Roman date.
S. Horlock (NMP), 03 November 2009.