NHER 44923 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of enclosures, fields and trackways of possible Bronze Age to Roman date

August 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of enclosures, fields and trackways of possible Bronze Age to Roman date are visible on aerial photographs in former arable to the south of Grays Road, Burgh St Peter (S1-S4). The site is centred on TM 4767 9268. The site consists of a complex of linear ditches, the majority of which are aligned roughly NW-SE and NE-SW and are likely to represent former field boundaries. These cropmarks are quite fragmentary and probably represents several phases of development within a field system, which although undated, could be Iron Age to Roman in date, although a Bronze Age origin to the site is possible.

A Roman coin has been found in close proximity to this site (NHER 32739). Metal detecting, fieldwalking and excavation to the immediate west (S5) recovered evidence for Bronze Age activity and occupation, plus a number of medieval finds and probable post medieval field boundaries (NHER 31317, 35652, 36668). One short sections of ditch was excavated (S5; context 24). This was heavily truncated by the surface stripping undertaken by the contractors (see secondary file, NHER 31317), with only 10cm of the sub-surface feature remaining. The remnant of this ditch was aligned in a similar manner to some of the cropmarks and it may represent a continuation of this possible field system. The feature was reported to have continued to the east, towards the location of the cropmarks, although this section of the ditch was completely removed during the surface scraping without any archaeological investigation. It is therefore possible that other shallow features have been destroyed completely. For discussion of the fragmentary cropmarks recorded within this area see NHER 44941. No finds were found in association with this excavated ditch and it is not clear whether it dates to the same period as the Bronze Age activity on the site. No ditches or boundaries were found in direct association with the Bronze Age pits and finds scatters.

This site is located on the former eastern edge of Burgh Common. It has been suggested that this is former heathland, enclosed in 1811, may be a remnant of ancient grazing land, possibly dating back to the prehistoric period, see NHER 31317 (S6). The presence of possible late prehistoric or Roman date field system would potentially imply that the origins of this common grazing may not be as ancient as previously thought.

Several of the linear features are double ditched and are likely to represent trackways associated with the fields. The cropmarks are too fragmentary to allow for the average field size or shaped to the ascertained. It is also possible that some of the boundaries enclose areas used for domestic activity, but again on the current aerial photograph evidence this cannot be ascertained.

Other ditches were identified within the northern part of this site that would appear to relate to different phase of activity. These have been recorded under NHER 44924, see record for details.
S. Massey (NMP), 10 August 2006.