NHER 57475 (Monument record) - Undated linear cropmarks, possibly associated with former road or trackway

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Summary

Two undated linear ditch cropmarks are visible on aerial photographs on land to the north east of Snetterton airfield, Quidenham. It is possible that they relate to field boundary ditches of unknown date. In 2015 a geophysical survey of the field to the north identified a series of parallel anomalies that appear to represent a continuation of the features visible as cropmarks at this location. A subsequent excavation in the south-east corner of the field revealed a pair of corresponding ditches. Although these features were undated, subsequent research suggests that they were probably associated with a routeway depicted on an early 17th-century map of the area. See NHER 65055 for further details.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TM09SW
Civil Parish QUIDENHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Map

November 2012. Norfolk NMP.
Two undated linear ditch cropmarks are visible on aerial photographs (S1) on land to the north east of Snetterton airfield, Quidenham. It is possible that they relate to field boundary ditches of unknown date.
The cropmarks are centred on TM 0130 9050, and are only faintly visible on one set of photographs, and have therefore been recorded with a hint of caution. Pottery finds from the field to the east (NHER 29958) have included Iron Age to Roman sherds, Saxon and medieval to post medieval sherds, so the ditches could potentially be boundaries dating to any of these periods.
E. Ford (NMP), 27 November 2012.

October 2015. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of field to north.
This survey identified a series of parallel linear anomalies that appear to be a continuation of the features visible as cropmarks at this location.
See report (S2) and NHER 65055 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 June 2021.

January 2017. Strip Map and Sample Excavation.
Excavation of small area in field to the north.
This work revealed two parallel north-north-west to south-south-east aligned ditches that correspond with the previously identified geophysical anomalies and are therefore almost certainly a continuation of the remains visible as cropmarks at this location. Although undated, subsequent research suggests that these features were potentially associated with some form of road or trackway depicted at this location on an early 17th-century map. This routeway appears to have branched off the main Norwich to Thetford road and is not depicted on any subsequent map.
See NHER 65055 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 June 2021.

  • <S1> Vertical Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1970. OS/70281 022-3 31-JUL-1970 (NMR).
  • <S2> Unpublished Contractor Report: 2015. Richard Johnston Ltd. Land at Harling Road, Snetterton, Norfolk. Geophysical Survey. Archaeological Services WYAS. 2824.

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Record last edited

Jun 1 2021 2:17PM

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