NHER 43744 (Monument record) - Multi-phase cropmark site, Hickling

March 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a group of undated and probably multi-phase ditches, many of which are likely to be fragments of former field boundaries, are visible on aerial photographs to the north of Eastfield Farm, Hickling (S1). None of the cropmarks appear to show any relationship with the post medieval field layout and are therefore likely to be earlier in date. The site is centred on TG 4283 2397 and is located on a strip of slightly raised ground, which like the Stubb to the south, has with loamy soils and would have projected out into the lower valley peats and alluvial clays. These strips of land would probably have offered an obvious location for settlement and agriculture in the past. A group of cropmarks approximately 350m to the south have been interpreted as possibly being Roman in date (NHER 43743), although there is no obvious link between the two sites.

The majority of the cropmarks appear to be aligned roughly along the same axis and are possibly fragments of a field system. The C-shaped curvilinear feature at TG 4283 2402, may represent a different phase of activity, again of unknown date.
S. Massey (NMP), 29 March 2005.