NHER 42443 (Monument record) - Possible Saxon to medieval saltern mounds, and later enclosure, drainage ditches and channels

January 2006. Norfolk NMP.
Earthworks of possible late Saxon to medieval saltern mounds and medieval to post medieval enclosure and drainage ditches are visible on aerial photographs (S1 to S3). These earthworks are centred on TG 4740 0708 in an area of former marshland. Three irregular earthwork mounds are present in this group. The largest of these measures up to 48m by 28m in size. The other two mounds measure 38m by 18m and 22m by 12m. These are possibly saltern mounds of late Saxon to medieval date. The mounds are surrounded by linear and curvilinear drainage ditches. These appear to form a trapezoidal enclosure at TG 4745 0705. It is possible that this enclosure also contained a low mound that is not clearly visible as an earthwork. The linear drainage ditch that forms one side of the possible enclosure continues the course of an extant linear ditch further to the northwest. It is marked on the second edition 6 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map (S4) and is probably of post medieval date. Immediately to its east is a curvilinear ditch or channel earthwork which appears to continue as an extant drainage ditch further to the southeast. It is probable that this was a natural channel which was only later incorporated in the drainage pattern. It is likely that this curvilinear ditch or channel is of medieval date.
J. Albone (NMP), 24 January 2006.

January-February 2023. Earthwork Survey.
Analytical earthwork survey undertaken ahead of proposed habitat improvement works (Field A).
Although much of the eastern field fell within the coverage of an initial topographic survey only earthworks identified close to its southern margins were then subject to a more traditional interpretive survey. The surviving earthworks examined in detail included the easternmost of the possible saltern mounds (Feature 1) and the somewhat sinuous north-west to south-east aligned drainage ditch or natural channel to the north (Feature 3). The mound measures c.45m by 25m and survives to a height of 0.65m. A short north-east to south-west aligned linear feature was recorded immediately to the south (Feature 2). These features were all disturbed by modern drainage channels.
See report (S5) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 14 August 2024.