NHER 49468 (Monument record) - Settlement, fields and trackways of unknown, but probable Roman date

This site was previously recorded under NHER 11859.

May 2007. Norfolk NMP.
Cropmarks of settlement, fields and trackways of unknown, but probable Roman date are visible on aerial photographs at Pilson Green, South Walsham (S1-S11). The site is centred on TG 3723 1321. A considerable number of Roman date finds have been recovered from the general vicinity of these cropmarks, such as NHER 11859, 28603, 36546, 39925 and 40413. Finds dating to the Saxon, medieval and post medieval periods have also been recovered (NHER 11859 and 36546). Although it seems likely that the main phase of this settlement and fields are broadly Roman in date, the site is likely to represent more than one phase.
The main enclosure is centred on TG 3751 1319 and consists of a large sub-rectangular or trapezoidal enclosure, measuring 85m by between 70-85m (S4-S5, S11). The enclosure has two clear entrances, one to the northwest and another, with an inturned ditch, to the southeast. Another break in the ditch to the western boundary of the enclosure is likely to be the result of a modern field boundary breaking the cropmark response.
A trackway, revealed a surfaced or compacted surface in the area of the enclosure, runs past the eastern side of the enclosure (S4-S5). Another track runs northeast towards the enclosure. The compacted linear can be seen to follow the line of this feature to the northwest, however this appears to post-date the enclosure. This trackway contemporary with the enclosure forms part of a series of parallel tracks, all aligned roughly NW-SE, between 110 and 180m apart. Three separate tracks can clearly be identified and reasonably long-distance linears following the same alignment may indicate the former presence of other tracks not showing. Ditches running perpendicular to these trackways appear to divide the area into individual fields and paddocks.
This pattern of trackways and fields can be seen to continue to the north of School Road, although the cropmarks in this area are much harder to interpret and phase due to a greater concentration of features of different date, including a series of medieval to post medieval boundaries (NHER 49467).
The broadly NW-SE and NE-SW of the majority of these fields and trackways is consistent with other large areas of settlements, enclosures and fields recorded within this area (NHER 49427-8, 49431, 49440), suggesting a once extensive agricultural landscape spreading for several kilometres. Where dating material exists Roman finds appear to predominate, although it is possible that some of the systems originated in the late prehistoric and Iron Age periods.
A similar arrangement of trackways and fields are visible to the east of this site (NHER 49469), although these follow a different alignment. This pattern of fields divided by frequently spaced and long-distance trackways is a relatively common feature of the archaeological of the margins of the Broads. It is generally thought that all of these systems are Roman in date. The best example probably being NHER 6096 in the Beighton and Cantley parishes.
S. Massey (NMP), 23 May 2007.

February 2021. National Mapping Programme (NMP) Data Clean-Up.
The Monument Polygon defining the site has been expanded to include an additional ditch to the east of the site (at TG 3780 1245). The feature had been mapped but not included within a Monument Polygon, presumably due to an oversight. It was visible on (S1), presumably as a cropmark.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk County Council, Historic Environment Service), 26 February 2021.