NHER 52329 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of an enclosure and associated boundaries and a trackway of probable Roman date

Some of these cropmarks were previously recorded under NHER 9788.

November 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of an enclosure and associated boundaries and a trackway of probable Roman date are visible on aerial photographs to the north of the Roman town at Caistor St Edmunds (S1-S3). The site, which is centred on TG 2285 0404, consists of a double ditched enclosure, measuring 22m by at least 32m located at TG 2281 0395 (S1, S3), with a large central sub-rectangular pit. The area of the enclosure and that to the immediate west are visible as lighter coloured vegetation or parched areas in 1956 (S1) and this may indicate a compacted or levelled surface associated with the enclosure, although it is possible that this merely reflects differences in the geological background at this location. To the north of this are further possible fragmentary enclosures and field boundaries to the north (S2-S3). A possible multiple ditched boundary or trackway may be visible to the northwest of the enclosure (S3), although it is feasible that this relates to underlying bands of different geological deposits. These cropmarks are located to the immediate west of the excavated remains of a Saxon cemetery and Roman kilns (NHER 9788), although it is not clear how, if at all, this enclosure and ditches are related. Although a Roman date for some it not all of the cropmarks seems the most likely interpretation given the location.
S. Horlock (NMP), 23 November 2009.