NHER 49595 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Possible medieval to post medieval date peat or turf extraction

June 2007. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of a series of banks and drainage ditches which may be the result of medieval to post medieval date peat or turf extraction are visible on aerial photographs to the east of Strumpshaw Common (S1). Although it is possible that these earthworks are merely the result of successive phases of drainage and as such have not been mapped. The site is centred on TG 3492 0553.

The site consists of a series of drains and associated banks of upcast or baulks. Several roughly rectangular sunken areas are visible and these may be associated with the removal of turf or shallow surface peat layers during the post medieval period or perhaps even medieval peat extraction. The layout of the drains and banks/baulks suggests that the area has been divided into strips and this may indicate that extraction had taken place along the lines of ‘doles’; narrow strips of common land that were allotted to a particular individual (S2).
S. Massey (NMP) 29 June 2007.