NHER 52006 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of possible sunken-floored buildings or grubenhauser of Early to Middle Saxon date on site of Late Saxon to Medieval settlement

March 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a group of sub-rectangular pits, possibly representing the remains of sunken-featured buildings or grubenhauser, that may indicate the presence of an Early to Middle Saxon settlement, are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S4) are visible on aerial photographs within the area of a medieval settlement cropmarks (NHER 51984). The site is centred on TG 2345 0066. Although a geological origin for some of these pit-like cropmarks cannot be ruled out, it is possible that these features indicate an earlier predecessor to the late Saxon to medieval settlement indicated by the finds assemblage and the cropmark evidence (NHER 9739, 51984). The vast majority of the ditches and enclosures within the area of these possible sunken structures have been recorded under NHER 51984 due to uncertainty over which phase they related to, although it is likely that a proportion of them date to this earlier phase. Only those directly associated with a pit or structure were recorded under this number. A Middle to Late Saxon strap end has been recovered from the general vicinity (NHER 24332), indicating some level of earlier activity. The possible presence of Early to Middle Anglo Saxon barrows has also tentatively been suggested from the cropmark evidence at this site, see NHER 51985-6 for details. An alternative interpretation for these pits is that they are broadly contemporary with the medieval settlement and represent an industrial area or activity specific area that has resulted in a number of large pits being dug. The surface finds assemblage for NHER 9724 to the approximately 1km to the west could suggest a Middle to Late Saxon settlement. It is feasible that these two possible settlements existed contemporaneously or alternatively that the location of the Stoke Holy Cross settlement shifted to the west during the Middle to later Saxon period. Although the presence of the Late Saxon material at this site of the medieval settlement cropmarks may indicate the occupation continued at this location.
The pits range in size from 1m by 1.5 up to 4.5m by 3m.
Only those considered to be of more definite archaeological origin have been mapped and are located in a cluster centred on TG 2345 0066. Three other areas of possible pits were identified, although these were of less convincing archaeological origin (generally being more irregular, rounded or indistinct) and were not mapped. It is possible that these represent the remains of naturally occurring features within the Norwich Crag. The site is located quite near to the exposure of the chalk geology and it is therefore possible, depending on the accuracy of the geological mapping, that these are the remains of solution hollows formed in the chalk. The extent of these unmapped possible examples have been defined by an ‘extent of area’ polygon for future reference.
S. Horlock (NMP), 11 March 2009.