NHER 38599 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of multi-period field systems and ditches

April 2004. Norfolk NMP.
Cropmarks of a coaxial field system and other ditches of unknown, medieval to post medieval and possibly Roman to Saxon date are visible on aerial photographs ((S1) to (S3)). These cropmarks are centred on TG 3705 2898. The field system is defined by intermittent ditches on northwest to southeast and southwest to northeast alignments. The most complete part visible as cropmarks is centred on TG 3696 2892, with ditches present on both sides of Vicarage Road. Around this point the ditches appear to define three possible fields. The most complete of these appears to measure 205m by 126m with other adjacent fields having widths of 44m and 56m. More ditches on a similar alignment are present further to the east around TG 3721 2889. Two of these ditches between TG 3716 2890 and TG 3727 2897 and from TG 3720 2892 to TG 3722 2882 survive as field boundariesinto the 20th century and are marked on the 1810 East Ruston enclosure map and the second edition 25 inch Ordnance Survey map ((S4) and (S5)). Other ditches possibly belonging to this field system, but not marked on the maps examined, are present at TG 3729 2904, TG 3705 2912 and TG 3696 2713. This field system is not fully represented on the 1810 East Ruston enclosure map (S4) and appears to be crossed by Vicarage Road, which was present by that date. The survival of some of the field boundaries around TG 3721 2889 suggests that the field system may have a medieval to early post medieval origin. However, the field system appears to cross the East Ruston and Happisburgh parish boundary and an earlier date need not necessarily be ruled out. An undated ditch, possibly of Roman to Saxon date appears to cut across the field system between TG 3694 2895 and TG 3709 2891. Cropmarks of ring ditches (NHER 38597, 38598), a possible Anglo-Saxon settlement (NHER 38600) and other undated field boundaries (NHER 39184) are present within the area of this field system.
See also NHER 38597, 38598, 38600, 39184.
J. Albone (NMP), 8 April 2004.