NHER 44913 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of undated field boundaries

August 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of field boundaries of unknown date are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Hall Farm Cottages, Burgh St Peter (S1). The site is centred on TM 4872 9356. These cropmarks sit within a wider spread of multi-phase cropmarks, see NHER 44886 for details. Other groups of enclosures and fields have been recorded to the immediate west (NHER 44880-1) and have been interpreted as being Iron Age to Roman in date. However these field boundaries to the east show no obvious relationship with any of the surrounding cropmarks. The field boundaries are likely to be pre-medieval in date, as they appear to underlie the Burgh Road, leading towards the medieval chapel and church to the east (NHER 10746 and 10750).

The site consists of a ditch aligned NW-SE, which appears to form the boundary for a series of rectilinear fields to the east. Some of these fields are enclosed elongated strips, measuring 10-15m across and up to 55m long. Whilst others appear to be much larger, potentially measuring approximately 60m across. Two additional ditches to the west, centred on TM 4864 9353, may also form part of this phase of field boundaries. The ditches are parallel and 5m apart and may represent a trackway running alongside the edge of a field or enclosed area.

Two possible pits are also visible at TM 4870 9357, either side of the central field boundary. The close proximity of these pit-like features to the ditch may indicate that they are contemporary, although this is not certain. It is also possible that the pits are geological represent pockets of differential deposits within the gravels.
S. Massey (NMP), 03 August 2006.