NHER 43509 (Monument record) - The cropmarks of undated enclosures and field boundaries, Hopton-on-Sea

September 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of undated enclosures and field boundaries are visible on aerial photographs in Hopton-on-Sea (S1-S2). The site is centred on TG 5218 0156. These cropmarks are located within an area of complex and overlapping enclosures and field boundaries, dating from the late prehistoric to the Roman period (NHER 43494-5). The cropmarks recorded under this site do not appear to form part of the other phases. For other undated cropmarks recorded within this area see NHER 45203. Although some elements of the site have shared alignments with the Roman landscape (NHER 43495) and it is therefore possible that these fields and enclosures are later developments in the chronological sequence. Excavation is required to truly reveal the chronological sequence of the cropmarks in this area.

The cropmarks are quite fragmentary and incomplete, however an eastern enclosure is visible, measuring approximately 60m by at least 70m, and a western enclosure, cut by the modern A12 road, and measuring approximately 125m by 95m. This appears to have several subdividing ditches within it.
S. Massey (NMP), 11 September 2006.

August 2016. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development area to south-east of junction between Lowestoft Road and Links Road.
This survey identified the remains of potentially prehistoric field systems and trackways, with many of the linear anomalies corresponding with previously identified cropmark features.
Report awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 29 June 2018.

August 2017. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of three fields to south-east of junction between Lowestoft Road and Links Road.
This work saw the investigation of several cropmarks that are part of this group. Although corresponding ditches were identified unfortunately no dating evidence was recovered.
See NHER 62793 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 29 June 2018.

March 2023. Assessment of the Character and Significance of East Anglian Field Systems project.
The site described above was included in the dataset analysed for the Historic England-funded Assessment of East Anglian Field Systems project. See the project report (S4) for further details.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk County Council Environment Team), 22 March 2023.