NHER 45039 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of a medieval to post medieval road

September 2006. Norfolk NMP
Cropmarks of a road of medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2). These cropmarks are centred on TM 4138 9261. A curvilinear cropmark of a compacted or metalled road surface flanked by roadside ditches is present. The cropmarks extend for up to 224m on a southwest to northeast alignment between TM 4130 9253 and TM 4146 9268. It is likely that this road is of medieval to early post medieval date. It is possible that it is shown on Faden’s 1797 Map of Norfolk (S3). It is not clear when it was replaced by the road to its north, as the similarity in the alignment of the two roads makes it difficult to distinguish between them on available maps. However, it is possible that the change occurred around 1800 when other road alterations were made around Gillingham Hall (NHER 10738) (S4). The road to the north was certainly shown in it present position on the 1839 Gillingham tithe map (S5).
J. Albone (NMP), 06 September 2006