NHER 27282 (Monument record) - A group of post medieval surface peat or turf extraction pits

September 2005. Norfolk NMP.
A group of post-medieval or modern turf ponds and extraction pits are visible on aerial photographs on Reed Fen to the northeast of Plummers Farm (S1-S4). The site is centred on TG 4217 2322. These elongated shallow cuttings are located next to an earlier area of medieval peat and clay extraction, known as Gage’s and Hares Broads (NHER 32157). Other areas of elongated post-medieval cuttings are visible to the north NHER 43707-9.

The clearest component of the site is centred on TG 4200 2329 and consists of a series of shallow and elongated oblong cuts, the majority of which measure 760m by 20m. A narrow channel links several of these cuts. Two smaller, but deeper oblong pits appear to have been cut into the fen at a later date, as one of these pits cuts through the edge of the eastern shallow scoop. A further two oblong cuts are visible at TG 4220 2324. Two smaller and more irregular shaped pits are visible to the northeast at TG 4261 2326. In addition to the oblong and sub-rectangular cuts are a series of broad elongated linear cuts. At the western end of the site these linear strips join together to form a group. All of these features have the appearance of stripping of the fen surface, possibly for the removal of surface peat and turf for fuel. The date of these cuttings is not known as the cutting of surface peat continued into the early twentieth century (S5; p81), although a post-medieval date is most likely. The features to the west of the site appear to have been encroached upon by vegetation to a greater degree, indicating that the older cuts than those to the east, which could be relatively recent.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 September 2005.