NHER 42206 (Monument record) - Earthworks of enclosures

December 2005. Norfolk NMP.
Earthworks of enclosures and drainage ditches of medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2). These earthworks are centred on TG 4839 0972 in a pasture field immediately to the south of the River Bure. A small rectangular enclosure is centred on TG 4839 0974. It is defined by a 2m wide ditch on three sides and measures 20m by 12m externally. The northern side of the enclosure is formed by an extant drainage ditch. The linear ditch along the western side of the enclosure, continues to the south as a drainage ditch for a further 63m. It leads into a large natural pond, which is also fed by curvilinear channels. This linear ditch also forms the western side of a polygonal enclosure. This enclosure has five sides and measures up to 40m by 48m externally. The small rectangular enclosure is located in its northwest corner. Its northern side is also formed by an extant drainage ditch. A later drainage ditch cuts across the northern edge of both of these enclosures. The location of these enclosures, on marshland that developed during the post-Roman period, indicates that they are likely to be of medieval to post medieval date. The small rectangular enclosure is similar to other small enclosures visible as earthworks on the marshland, with another one located 900m to the east (NHER 42157). Information from [1] suggests that these enclosures are probably sheep cotes. These small enclosures were used to pen sheep overnight so that the manure could be collected. The manure was then transported from the marshes for use as fertiliser on arable fields on the ‘upland’ (S3). The earthworks were levelled and the field had been ploughed by 1970 (S4).
J. Albone (NMP), 05 December 2005.

April 2008-June 2010. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of excavation of new soke dykes adjacent to River Bure as part of the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project (Compartment 11).
Although the excavated dyke coincided with the southernmost earthworks in this group no corresponding remains were identified.
See report (S5) and NHER 69634 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 2 December 2025.