NHER 43763 (Monument record) - Undated linear cropmark ditches, Hickling

March 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of undated linear ditches are visible on aerial photographs to the northwest of Brightmere Farm, Hickling (S1). The site is centred on TG 4066 2386. The archaeological nature of these parallel linear ditches is not clear, they are too widely spaced to be trackway. It is possible that they represent a land boundary of some sort.

The date of these ditches is unknown, although at least one of these features, that running TG 4049 2391 to TG 4086 2389, appears to pre-date the Stalham Road running past the Farm and Hickling Green. This road certainly pre-dates the 1808 parliamentary enclosure of Hickling (S2) and is likely to be at least medieval in date. A second linear feature, 22m to the south and running roughly parallel to the first, may also continue under the road. A third parallel linear is visible to the south. A fourth linear ditch has been included within this site, centred on TG 4053 2381, although it is possible that this is post medieval field boundary, as it is perpendicular to the main existing field boundary.
S. Massey (NMP), 27 March 2005.