NHER 8331 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of undated ditches, field boundaries and possible enclosures

Cropmark of large ?enclosure OS aerial photograph.
A. K. Gregory (NAU) 1975.

The central grid reference of this site has been altered from TG 353 234 to TG
3543 2359.

March 2007. Norfolk NMP.
Cropmarks of undated ditches, field boundaries and possible enclosures are visible on aerial photographs to the north of Berry Hall (S1-S2). The site is centred on TG 3543 2359. A possible enclosure of late prehistoric to Roman date has been tentatively identified within the site, plus a pre-post medieval boundary ditch.

The enclosure previously identified at this site has not been mapped, see above; comparison of the cropmarks visible with boundaries marked on the 1839 Irstead Tithe map (S3) indicates that the cropmarks do not relate to an enclosure and are post medieval field boundaries.

Within the northern part of the site are a number of fragmentary linear ditches and boundaries (S2). At TG 3540 2375 is the northwestern corner of a possible enclosure, only partially visible. This may have been rectilinear and measuring at least 50m by 35m. A possible trackway may lead towards the enclosure from the north, indicated by a section of double ditch. The date of this possible enclosure is not known, although a late prehistoric to Roman date is possible. Along the eastern edge of the field is a series of rectilinear ditched features and enclosed areas (S2). It is not clear whether these relate to further fragmentary field boundaries and enclosures, possibly associated with the enclosure to the west, or whether they are the remains of drainage features on the edge of Barton Fen.

A ditch runs for approximately 385m and may represent a former field boundary. This appears to underlie the post medieval boundaries marked on the Tithe map (S3). However it does run towards the marshes to the east and therefore may relate to drainage.
S. Massey (NMP), 29 March 2007.