NHER 32793 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Medieval to post medieval earthworks

1997. Grassland between Dawson Lane and River Stiffkey has evidence for former watercourse, roughly parallel to river, dividing the lower flood plain to north from higher (0.5m) terrace to south. Latter has slight evidence of ditched subdivision. 4m spread barrier bank (A) between watercourse and river, 0.4m high, with lowering at south end, may be possible mill pond dam, with further projecting spur of higher ground 20m to north. Small mill stone found nearby by owner. Further west, causeway shown on county series maps known as a sheep drove still seen, with curving bank on either side. Marked (B) on extract of 2500. Area to south of Dawson Lane has long grass on site of Allotment
Gardens which are partly terraced on the north facing slope. No convincing evidence of medieval farmstead as suggested, although two sherds of medieval pot found on grassland to north of lane. (NCM) Early 17th century map in Norfolk Records Office (HMN 7/227/1,2) shows some subdivision between lane and river, the lane then known as West Gate Lane.
Map detail very faint, but could well correspond to watercourse, with other features indicating irregular subdivisions corresponding to those on county series map.
Map in file.
B.Cushion (NLA), June 1997.

1999. Casual find when walking.
Many cockle shells along flood plain; local resident says this area was parish allotments.
Inf and penes [1].
Comp. E.Rose, 20 December 1999.

October 2002. Norfolk NMP.
A series of probable medieval to post-medieval earthworks are visible on aerial photographs along the River Stiffkey (S1- S2). It is possible that one of these earthwork banks may relate to a millpond dam.The raised causeway, referred to above as a sheep drove, can be seen running from TF 9656 4321 to TF 9673 4322. This varies in width from 5-10m. This linear appears to be joined by two other raised causeways from the north. One from TF 9656 4329 to TF 9659 4324 and to the east from TF 9672 4324 to TF 9678 4328. These appear to predate the post-medieval drainage system as marked on the 2nd edition map (1902-7, 25”) (S3). The possible millpond dam bank is also visible on the aerial photographs, running from TF 9595 4306 to TF 9698 4309, measuring 46m long and 6m wide to the south and then widening out to approximately 10m to the north. This feature almost aligns with hollow way/ditch recorded as NHER 27114 to the immediate south of the watercourse. Several linear ditches are visible alongside the river, although the majority of these will be drainage ditches, probably of post-medieval date. One area of ditches may be worth mentioned in detail, those centred on TF 9685 4316. These seem to define a ditched enclosed area, measuring 35m by approximately 22m. This has several channels leading off it to the north. These features may be related to water management along the floodplain. The terraces to the south of the Dawson Lane in the area of the allotments, referred to above, may be associated with a series of terraces and banks visible on the aerial photographs to the west, recorded under NHER 27133.
S. Massey (NMP), 24 October 2002.