NHER 44881 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of possible late prehistoric or Roman enclosure and fields

SOME OF THESE CROPMARKS WERE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED UNDER NHER 18349.

August 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a possible late prehistoric or Roman enclosure and fields are visible on aerial photographs to the north and south of Middle Lane, Burgh St Peter (S1-S3). The site is centred on TM 4833 9353. It is possible that the enclosures and fields represent a farmstead or small settlement. Fieldwalking and metal detecting finds near to the site attest to Iron Age and Roman activity in the area (NHER 16777, 18349 and 32583). Roman coins have been found within the vicinity of the main enclosure (NHER 18349) and therefore may date the site to this period. However another group of enclosures and fields are also located within the same area (NHER 44880) and have been interpreted as being possibly Iron Age or Roman in date. The chronological relationship between the two groups of enclosures is not known. These cropmarks also sit within a wider spread of multi-phase cropmarks, see NHER 44886 for details.

The main component of the site is a rectilinear enclosure, centred on TM 4832 9349, and is bisected by Middle Lane. The enclosure is approximately 95m by up 100m and the ditch is up to 2m wide. A series of fragmentary cropmarks were recorded within the interior of this enclosure (NHER 44886), but none are likely to be contemporary, other than the ditch running parallel to the northern boundary. To the north of the enclosure are two further possible enclosed areas or annexes, both approximately measuring 12m by 65m. To the north of this are potentially further enclosures, however the cropmarks are much more fragmentary. Conjoined to the west of the enclosure is a further rectilinear enclosed area, 115m by 70m.

To the east of the enclosure are a series of parallel linear ditches, which may define fields or possibly in the case of double ditched cropmarks, trackways. At TM 4848 9353 is a small group of ditches, which follow the same alignment as the rest of the enclosures and fields and are therefore likely to be broadly contemporary.
S. Massey (NMP), 07 August 2006.