NHER 49199 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Medieval to Post medieval drainage features on Glebe Marshes

May 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of a series of medieval to post medieval drainage ditches and embankments are visible on aerial photographs (S1) on Glebe Marshes, adjacent to Burgh Castle Roman fort (NHER 10471).

The more sinuous of the drainage dykes mapped are likely to have developed from natural drainage creeks on the edge of the former estuary as it drained and silted up from the Saxon period onwards. These are likely to have been incorporated into and augmented by additional artificial drains and flood defences.

It is seems likely that the all of the features mapped are post-Roman in date, although it is probable that there would have been a quayside and associated structures attached to Burgh Castle fort, although it is not clear whether any of these features would have survived. It is also unlikely, given the sedimentary sequence associated with the silting of the estuary, that any such features would be visible on aerial photographs. However there are possible linear features detectable seemingly underlying the more substantial drainage ditches, although these may have derived from natural creeks.
S. Massey (NMP), 29 May 2008.

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.