NHER 49482 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of possible Saxon grubenhauser

These cropmarks were previously recorded under NHER 25490.

September 1989. Aerial photographs 30 June 1989 reference DLH.
Cropmark site (not yet plotted) of possible Early Saxon sunken featured buildings.
See (S1) and (S2) for further details.
D. Gurney (NAU), 6 October 1989.

May 2007. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a cluster of possible Saxon grubenhauser are visible on aerial photographs to the north of St Mary's Church, Upton with Fishley (S3). The site is centred on TG 3989 1173. Fieldwalking of this area produced finds of a medieval and post medieval date (see NHER 25490 for details) but produced no Saxon material. Cropmarks of sub-rectangular pits of a similar size and arrangement have been interpreted as possible Saxon grubenhauser (S4), although to date no corroborating dating material exists and it remains a possibility that the pits are related to extraction.
The site consists of a series of oblong and sub-rectangular pit-like features, ranging in length from 2-6m and 2-3m across. Three noticeably smaller pits are also visible, 0.5-1m across. The cropmarks appear to be visible within a band of gravel surrounded by a less responsive material, probably boulder clay. It is possible that the pits could have been created through episodic gravel extraction, although it would be unusual for such neat and rectangular cuts to have been dug. It is also worth noting that a small quarry scoop is marked on the Ordnance Survey second edition map (1902-7, 25 inch) (S5) on the southern edge of the area of cropmarks.
S. Massey (NMP), 29 May 2007.