NHER 68441 (Monument record) - Post-medieval and undated drainage features

January-February 2023. Earthwork Survey.
Analytical earthwork survey undertaken ahead of proposed habitat improvement works (Fields K-L and N-P).
This survey identified various former drainage ditches in the southernmost two fields (Fields K and L), including a north-north-east to south-south-west aligned feature (Feature 67) that corresponds with a drainage channel shown on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S1). A perpendicular ditch extending to the west of this feature (Feature 64) formed the southern side of what was presumably a contemporary enclosure, the western side of which was also identified (Feature 60). Other features likely to be of relatively recent date included ditches defining a small enclosure adjacent to the extant north-to-south aligned drainage channel between the fields (Features 55 and 56). Remains of a more uncertain date included natural channels that appear to have been repurposed as drainage channels (Features 58 and 59) and two pits – one small (Feature 53) and one large (Feature 57).
Features recorded in the northwesternmost field (Fields O and P) included several north-west to south-east aligned drainage ditches (Features 71-73) likely to relate to the group of potentially medieval to post-medieval remains recorded on the opposite site of the railway line (NHER 42417). Several drainage ditches were also recorded in the field to the east (Field P), which were most likely repurposed natural channels (Features 75-77). A small possible enclosure ditch and bank was also recorded in this field (Feature 74).
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 18 August 2024.