NHER 26950 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Medieval to post medieval field boundaries

July 2001. Norfolk NMP.
Cropmark site consisting of a series of linear features, which may form part of a relatively late field system, visible on OS aerial photographs from 1967 (S1) and BKS aerial photographs from 1988 (S2). The linears roughly the same alignment to the modern field boundaries, although comprising much smaller areas. The ditches range from between 2 and 9m wide, although some dragging by the plough is likely to have occurred. The dating of these fields is uncertain. Their shared orientation with modern field boundaries could suggest that they are relatively late in the sequence. A parish plan, undated but earlier than 1857 (S3), shows the positioning of field allotments within furlongs depicts boundaries along the same alignment as these. These fields may represent the amalgamation of strips into larger blocks, during the late medieval and post-medieval period. It must also be borne in mind that these marks are the result of cross ploughing on the chalk and not of archaeological origin.
S. Massey (NMP), 9 July 2001.