NHER 52185 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of two sub-rectangular pit-like features

March 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of two sub-rectangular pit-like features, which represent the remains of Saxon sunken-floored buildings, are visible on aerial photographs to the west of the Roman town at Caistor (S1). The site is centred on TG 2234 0323. The aerial photographs reveal numerous pits in this area, however the majority are irregular or rounded in shape and therefore cannot easily be distinguished from naturally occurring pit-like features, although it is feasible that they relate to prehistoric to Roman date deposits. The pits mapped and recorded under this number are distinctly sub-rectangular in shape and measure between 4-6m across. This could indicate that they relate to former Saxon sunken-floored buildings, known as ‘grubenhauser’. Finds of Saxon date have been found within the general area of these cropmarks (NHER 9743) and the site is located approximately 400m to the southwest of a larger area of cropmarks potentially representing Saxon sunken-floored buildings (NHER 52198) and a concentration of Saxon date material potentially indicating a significant area of post-Roman occupation of the extramural settlement at Caistor (NHER 9759).
S. Horlock (NMP), 11 March 2009.