NHER 42131 (Monument record) - Post medieval fields and area of possible ridge and furrow or drainage

September 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of an area of post medieval field boundaries and possible post medieval ridge and furrow remnants are visible on aerial photographs, to the west of Keith Farm, Sea Palling (S1 to S3). The boundaries closely resemble the arrangement marked on the 1839 Palling Tithe map (S4), although some of the boundaries have obviously been removed by this point. The site is centred on TG 4224 2749 although this point does not correspond to an archaeological feature on the ground.

The post medieval boundaries visible on the aerial photographs (S2 to S3) warrant little discussion as they are largely comparable with that marked on the Tithe map (S4). The only feature of this system that is worthy of note is the more substantial ditch defining a rectangular area measuring approximately 80m by 60 and centred on TG 4207 2749. The L-shaped ditch is up to 5.5m wide, although this is visible as a soilmark and therefore some spreading may have occurred during ploughing. The ditch appears to be double-ditched along one section. The fact that it is not showing in this manner for the entire ditch could again be a product of soilmark spread. A further parallel ditch visible within this area may represent a further subdivision of this field.

To the north of these post medieval field boundaries in 1946 (S1) is an area of low earthworks, centred on TG 4223 2766, which consists of parallel low ridges and furrows. The earthworks are more prominent towards the western end of the field. The ridges are approximately 7 to 9m across. These earthworks have the appearance of being late or post medieval ridge and furrow, although given the location its seems more likely that they are associated with drainage. Many of the fields in close proximity have parallel drains cut through at approximately the same spacing, However none of these appear to have the corresponding ridging and also look more recent and regular than the recorded area. These earthworks have since been ploughed flat and the field has modern drains put through it.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 September 2005.