NHER 45161 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Soilmarks of possible ridge and furrow

October 2006. Norfolk NMP.
An area of possible medieval ridge and furrow is visible on aerial photographs to the north of Browston Hall (S1). The site is centred on TG 5006 0225. The possible ridge and furrow is suggested by a series of parallel S-shaped dark soilmarks, 7m apart (S1). However it is not entirely clear whether these are archaeological or agricultural in origin as these lines follow the line of the western edge of the field, which follows the curve of the Browston Lane to the immediate west. Therefore it is possible that these lines have been created by agricultural machinery. However the curved line is continued right into the southeastern corner of the field without any diversion, which might be expected if these were recent features created within the modern confines of the field. Also in places the furrows appear to be overlain in places by a post medieval road or track (NHER 45152), which is at least late eighteenth century. However some of the furrow marks appear to continue through the soilmarks of the road. Due to the spreading of the bank material or road surface it is hard to establish a definite chronological relationship between the two features.
S. Massey (NMP), 16 October 2006.

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 (S2) for further details.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk County Council Environment Team), 22 March 2023.