NHER 49203 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Parent record for undated cropmarks within vicinity of Burgh Castle

November 2006. Norfolk NMP.
This site is a parent record for all undated cropmarks within the vicinity of Burgh Castle. A large multi-phase cropmark complex covers the extent of this site and has been recorded under several numbers. This number deals with all the undated and unphased cropmarks (S1-S11). This site includes fragmentary field boundaries, a possible structure, a curvilinear enclosure or ring ditch and a series of pits, some of which could be grubenhauser. All cropmarks recorded within the fort walls are recorded under NHER 10471. The cropmarks that are likely to be Roman in date and associated with the vicus are recorded under NHER 49204. An additional undated phase of cropmark enclosures and trackways, which either pre-date or post-date the vicus are recorded under NHER 49205. An undated cropmark enclosure, also not associated with vicus, is recorded under NHER 49207.

To the immediate east of the fort, in-between the central gatehouse and the south-eastern corner tower, are the possible parchmarks of a former building or structures, centred on TG 4754 0451 (S3) (Context 2). The clearest feature is an L-shaped parchmark, 16.5m and 11m long. To the south of this is an angled feature, 5m across. It seems likely that these parchmarks are created by sub-surface foundations, compacted surfaces or possibly buried stonework or rubble. Although given the linear and angular nature of the marks, buried rubble may not be the most likely cause. The parchmarks appear to follow the same orientation of fort and therefore the structures may be Roman in date, although to have a stone built structure outside to the fort walls would be unusual. As the fort was used during the Saxon and medieval periods as well, the structure could relate to a later phase of activity. Other undated fragmentary linear features and former field boundaries are scattered across the site, with concentrations at TG 4790 0450 (context 3) and TG 4794 0463 (Context 4).

Other than this possible structure the cropmarks to the immediate east of the fort are extremely fragmentary and are of less certain archaeological origin than the rest of the site. This gives the impression that the main focus of the vicus was set back from the fort. Although it must be noted that the field immediately in front of the fort was often unresponsive in terms of cropmarks, often due to a different agricultural regime than the surrounding fields. In addition to the possible parchmarks in 1974, the only cropmarks recorded for this area were visible during June 1976 (S4-S5) and from an extremely grainy and oblique aerial photograph from July 1933 (S1). Due to the quality and the obliqueness of the 1933 image any cropmarks mapped must be treated with caution. However once rectified to remove the distortion created by the oblique angle the cropmarks do appear reasonably convincing. The cropmarks are very fragmentary and, if archaeological, reveal a palimpsest of features of different dates. Many of the cropmarks are linear ditches and are probably the remains of undated, but possibly late prehistoric, field boundaries. A double ditched feature may represent a trackway (Context 5). To the north of the fort, centred on TG 4756 0479 (Context 6), are further potential field boundaries also possibly visible in 1933 (S1). It is possible that these relate to NHER 49205, the undated Iron Age or Saxon enclosures and fields to the east, as they share a similar alignment.

Centred on TG 4784 0452 (Context 7) is a C-shaped enclosure or partial ring ditch, measuring 24m in diameter (S11). It is possible that this relates to a former Bronze Age round barrow, although this is not certain. To the northeast of this larger feature is a small C-shaped ditch, centred on TG 4790 0458 (S7) (Context 8). This has flattened sides, rather than a smooth curve, which gives the impression that this not a partially visible ring ditch, although it is possible that it was sub-circular in shape.

Towards the northern extent of the site is a double ditched straight feature, running from TG 4776 0487 to TG 4790 0494 (Context 9), with possible conjoined rectangular enclosures, 10m across, to the south (S6-S10). This appears to form some sort of boundary or trackway of unknown date. It is to the immediate north of a possible enclosure, again of unknown date (NHER 49207). The relationship between the two features is not clear, although it is possible that the boundary or track is the later of the two. Another double ditched linear is visible to the northwest, centred on TG 4796 0504 (S6- S10) (Context 10). This appears to lead in from side of field and therefore may be medieval/post medieval, although this is not certain.

The remainder of this site consists of a variety of pit-like features. These can largely be divided into three groups. The first consists of small clusters of pits, all around 1-3 m across, and centred on TG 4790 0453 and TG 4796 0455 (S8-S11) (Context 11). These are within the vicinity of the vicus enclosures (NHER 49204) and the undated, but possibly Iron Age or Saxon, enclosures (NHER 49205). It is therefore possible that these pits contemporary with activity or occupation within these enclosures. Other clusters of small pits, centred on TG 4787 0486, TG 4781 0484 and TG 4798 0454 (S6-S10) (Contexts 12a and 12b), were not mapped individually, rather an ‘extent of area’ was mapped. These pits are of uncertain archaeological origin and may be natural. The third type of pits consists of the larger, angular pits identified at TG 4792 0473 and TG 4791 0457 (S8-S10) (Contexts 13a and 13b). These vary in size and shape, but are generally square or sub-rectangular, measuring from 2m-5m across. These are also visible in tight clusters and appear to be located within an area of different soils or geology, which produce an increased cropmark response. It is possible that these represent small-scale extraction pits possibly exploiting small areas of sands or gravels. However it is also possible given the evidence for Saxon activity in the area that they represent sunken-floored structures or grubenhauser. Although it is hard to be certain these pits would appear to post-date the other cropmarks in this area.
Context numbers assigned retrospectively to aid interpretation (H. Hamilton, HES, 14 November 2024).
S. Massey (NMP), 01 November 2006.

October-November 2009 and March 2010. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with construction of new car and coach park adjacent to Butt Lane.
Three ditches were recorded in the eastern area of the site aligned perpendicular or parallel to the modern field system suggesting a medieval or later date. One of these ditches produced medieval pottery but the other two were undatable.
See report (S12) and NHER 61101 for further details.
S. Howard (NLA), 6 August 2010.

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 (S13) for further details.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk County Council Environment Team), 22 March 2023.