NHER 17143 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Medieval enclosures and fields, possible common-edge settlement

22 March 1972. Ordnance Survey Aerial Photography reference 72 034 098. Scale 1/7000.
Soilmarks.
Linear ditches and banks as soilmarks.
Numerous small rectilinear enclosures defined by ditches and banks.
Appears very much like settlement site, but confused with modern field boundaries now removed.
See (S1).
D. Edwards (NAU), 31 March 1981.

The central grid reference for this site has been altered from TM 1175 9957 to TM 1180 9966.


March 2012. Norfolk NMP.
A large area of soilmarks, and to a lesser extent, cropmarks of former enclosures, fields and boundaries of probable medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs to the west of Silfield (S2-S6). The site is centred on TM 1180 9966 and has been extended to the northeast to include additional features.
It has been suggested in the previous record that this site represents an area of settlement. The presence of large well-defined enclosures, multiple tracks and hollow ways, would suggest something more archaeologically significant than agricultural, however no definite evidence of settlement, such as distinct building platforms, were identified. Although at least one of the ditched enclosures at the western edge of the site may have an internal platform. The series of hollow ways and trackways within the eastern half of the site would appear to congregate at a possible central pond at TM 1175 9966, which may have been utilised for stock management.
Comparison of the location of the site with Faden’s map of 1797 (S7) would indicate this is likely to represent an area of common-edge settlement and/or stock enclosures to the immediate north of Silfield Common. The site appears to be bisected by the Silfield Road, perhaps indicating that it originally followed a different course.
S. Horlock (NMP), 07March 2012.