NHER 45086 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Post medieval causeways and drains

September 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A group of linear and curvilinear banks and ditches are visible as earthworks and cropmarks on aerial photographs (S1)-(S6), centred at TG 4312 1932. Some, such as the parallel boundaries visible between TG 4314 1943 and TG 4333 1918, appear to relate to what were former doles, presumably for peat or clay extraction, depicted on Potter Heigham Tithe Map (S7). Some, such as the bank visible between TG 4279 1955 and TG 4298 1939, were probably causeways, presumably providing access for the exploitation of the marshland. Several correspond to boundaries depicted on the Enclosure Map, and there is no evidence that any element pre-dates the post medieval period. The site can be usefully contrasted with NHER 43700 750m to the east, where the areas of extraction, rather than the divisions in between, are the most visible element of the former doles.

It should be noted that it was often difficult to distinguish between boundaries of archaeological significance, and the marks of natural features or those of modern agricultural origin. In addition, it was frequently difficult to tell which features were banks and which ditches, as the boundaries often showed differently on different photographs.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 27 September 2006.

May-June 2013. Watching Brief.
Maintained during excavation of dyke around boundary of new area of reedbed created adjacent to River Thurne.
Although this dyke coincided with a number of the mapped features no associated remains were noted.
See report (S8) and NHER 66585 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 30 March 2023.