NHER 39056 (Monument record) - Roman or medieval enclosures and ditches

December 2004. Norfolk NMP.
Cropmarks of rectilinear enclosures and ditches of Roman or medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1-3). These cropmarks are centred on TG 3033 3372. Three rectilinear enclosures are present on the eastern side of Hall Lane. The northernmost of these is defined by a double ditch and is roughly square in plan. Externally it measures 50m across, with internal dimensions of 44m in both directions. The ditches are less than 1m wide and are spaced 2.5m apart. A curving ditch inside the enclosure may be related to it. A single ditch extends northwards form the northeast corner of the enclosure, possibly indicating a further enclosure in that direction. Adjoining the southern side of the double ditched enclosure is a second incomplete enclosure. A single ditch marks the eastern side of this enclosure and a partial double ditch is present to the south. Its western side probably corresponds with the edge of Hall Lane giving it a trapezoidal plan. The maximum external dimensions are 65m by at least 54m. Later extraction pits (NHER 12818) have extensively truncated the ditches defining this enclosure. The third enclosure is also trapezoidal in plan and is located 36m further to the southwest along Hall Lane. It is defined by single ditches on its north, east and south sides and measures 46m by at least 34m externally. Eleven linear ditches are present parallel to Hall Lane within this enclosure and to its east. It is possible that these are contemporary with enclosure. Although their purpose is unclear it is possible that they have an agricultural origin. The ditch that marks the southern side of this enclosure continues intermittently to the west of Hall Lane for a distance of 255m. It is probable that this is a field or other boundary ditch that is contemporary with the enclosures. Also to the west of Hall Lane at TG 3033 3390 is a linear ditch. It is aligned parallel to the road and probably marks a field boundary. A further ditch cropmark is present 200m to the southwest. This ditch extends on a west to east alignment for a distance of 80m before curving towards the south. It is possible that this ditch represents part of an enclosure, but it is too incomplete to be certain.
The date of this group of enclosures and ditches is uncertain. If, as has been suggested, Hall Lane is a Roman road (NHER 41037) it is possible that the enclosures may also be of this date. However, it is equally likely that they are of a later, probably medieval date. The southernmost enclosure and its associated ditches are crossed by a post medieval diversion of Hall Lane (NHER 39055) and cut across a trackway of probable prehistoric date (NHER 39053). The extraction pits, which appear to cut the northern two enclosures, are possibly of medieval to post medieval date (NHER 12818).
(S1-3)
J. Albone (NMP), 8 December 2004