NHER 52170 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of a section of the Roman Pye Road running through Dunston Park

March 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a section of the Roman Pye Road (NHER 7947) running through Dunston Park are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S6). See NHER 7947 discussion of the overall route of this road from Scole and the Roman town of Venta Icenorum. The site is centred on TG 2235 0153. The route of the Roman road is defined by multiple parallel parchmarks and ditches, with some deviation or augmentation to the road in the area of TG 2225 0124. A possible minor branch road to the northwest is also visible in this area. The straight line of the road deviates to form a slightly curved course at the point that the eighteenth century Pike Road (NHER 9741 and 52171) heads to the northwest through the park. This route continues in use until the post medieval period and is still marked on the 1840 Caistor St Edmund Tithe map (S7) – the road was stopped as part of park alterations in 1839 (NHER 7947) - so it is hard to be certain how much of these alterations and deviations to the route represent Roman or later activity.
S. Horlock (NMP), 25 March 2009.

February 2022. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site to north of Stoke Lane (TG 2226 0150).
This survey identified three north-north-east to south-south-west aligned linear anomalies in the south-east part of the site, one of which coincided with these cropmarks.
See report (S7) and NHER 67163 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 12 July 2023.

January 2023. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site to north of Stoke Lane (TG 2226 0150).
The one trench that coincided with these cropmarks revealed evidence for the post-medieval road believed to have followed the line of the Roman routeway. No trace of an earlier road was uncovered in this or any of the other trenches excavated in this part of the field.
See report (S8) and NHER 67163 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 12 July 2023.