NHER 27243 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of possible Bronze Age or Iron Age boundary ditch and multi-period enclosures

February 2005. Norfolk NMP.
Cropmarks of multi-period ditches and incomplete enclosures are visible on aerial photographs (S1-6). These cropmarks are centred on TG 3283 3077 and were previously recorded as part of NHER 7023 and 7025.

The most prominent feature among this group is a roughly northwest to southeast aligned linear ditch. It extends for 540m on between TG 3252 3091 and TG 3302 3072. Although this ditch is aligned roughly parallel to the modern course of the road 210m to its northeast, it does not appear as a field boundary on the 1827 Witton enclosure or later maps (S7). Its length indicates that it represents a significant boundary and it is possible that it is of Bronze Age or Iron Age date. A further possible late prehistoric ditch extends intermittently for up to 445m between TG 3298 3056 and TG 3327 3088. This ditch follows a curved course and bifurcates at its southwest end. At its northeastern end this ditch may join a group of north to south and northwest to southeast aligned linear ditches, but this relationship is uncertain.

Three roughly parallel, west to east aligned, linear ditches cross the central part of this group of cropmarks. These extend intermittently for up to 350m eastwards from TG 3264 3087, TG 3268 3071 and TG 32610 3057. It is possible that these form part of an incomplete field system. However they do not correspond to the probable Roman field system and farmstead at their western end (NHER 27242, 38866) or the medieval to post medieval enclosures to their east (NHER 38872) and are of an unknown date.

L-shaped ditch cropmarks, possibly representing incomplete rectilinear enclosures are present at TG 3265 3080, TG 3293 3083 and TG 3294 3067. Possible incomplete curvilinear enclosures are located at TG 3271 3066 and TG 3296 3062. The date of these possible enclosures is uncertain. Fragmentary linear ditch cropmarks are present present on various alignments across the whole of this area. However, most of these are too isolated and incomplete to allow them to be related to the other surrounding cropmarks.
(S1-7)
J. Albone (NMP), 25 February 2005