NHER 10423 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Earthworks of probable medieval to post medieval clay pits

1971. Infra-red air photographs by Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Ltd, Hatfield, Herts (Guided Weapons Sales).
Pits/depressions either side of railway immediately south of Reedham swing bridge. Possibly salterns (alternative suggestions include hemp/flax retting). Seem to be pre-railway.
Annotated copy of (S2) in file.
T. Clough (NCM).

The local farmer [1] states that this area was known as 'brick fields' or 'brick marsh'. Several fragments of crude red brick are to be found on the site which suggest brick making.
See (S1).
R. J. Rickett (NAU) 25 June 1990.

April 2007. Norfolk NMP
Two groups of rectangular pits, possibly medieval to post medieval clay pits, are visible on aerial photographs (S2-S7). The extent of these earthworks has been changed and the central grid reference amended to TG 4235 0149. Groups of earthwork pits are located on both sides of the railway line and may be cut by it. The pits are rectangular and measure up to 9m long by 4m wide. It is likely that they are extractive pits, most probably for clay, and they are probably of medieval to post medieval date. The field name ‘brick field’ or ‘brick marsh’ (see above) supports their interpretation as clay pits and suggests that brick making took place at the site. Similar groups of pits are present on the north bank of the further to the west (NHER 49350) and east (NHER 49349). The position of the clay pits adjacent to the river is similar to that of a medieval to post medieval brickworks at West Caister (NHER 8688). As well as reflecting the location of workable clay deposits, it is possible that these pits were position adjacent to the river to enable easy transportation of the bricks. It is unlikely that the site relates to salt making as previously suggested.
J. Albone (NMP), 19 April 2007