NHER 38270 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Undated possible enclosures or fields

June 2003. Norfolk NMP.
Group of linear features, possibly defining an enclosure or area of fields, visible on Ordnance Survey aerial photographs from 1981 (S1) and BKS aerial photographs from 1988 (S2). The main area of the site is centred on TG 1249 4288 and consists of four stretches of ditch which appear to be forming part of a rectilinear enclosure, measuring 150m by at least 65m. Another linear feature is visible to the north of this feature, with runs roughly parallel. This is possibly forming a trackway, up to 15m wide and running from approximately TG 1259 4292 to TG 1243 4294.
At TG 1256 4291 there is a cluster of cropmark features. Some caution must be applied to the interpretation of these as there is a lot of geological background patterning and at least some of these features may too be geological in origin. At TG 1256 4292 is a sub-rectangular pit-like feature measuring 4.5m by 4m. To the north of this is a possible L-shaped ditch. To the south, centred on TG 1257 4292 is a possible and fragmentary enclosure, measuring 12m square. There are also several linear and curvilinear ditches.
Despite the main area of the site possibly having the appearance of an enclosure, its relationship to other known field boundaries may suggest that it is merely the layout of an earlier field system, probably medieval to post medieval in date. The line of the eastern ditch continues into the field to the south and joins up with an existing field boundary. Another linear feature to the north, running from TG 1255 4299 to TG 1253 4322 is possibly a further extension of this field boundary alignment. These boundaries taken as whole appear to be more consistent with the other late medieval to post medieval field boundaries mapped in the area (SMR 38268-9) and those depicted on the 2nd edition map (1902-7, 25 inch) (S3).
S. Massey (NMP), 27 June 2003.