NHER 45018 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of enclosure complex

1977-1980. Aerial Photography and Air Photo Interpretation.
Identified in Norfolk Archaeological Unit aerial reconnaissance (S4).
Cropmarks of several ring ditches (NHER 49687, NHER 45032, NHER 45028, NHER 45029, NHER 45030), enclosures (NHER 45018) and possible Roman temple (NHER 45036).
These features were originally recorded under NHER 12137, but were separated into the records noted above in 2006. This record now details the Roman Temple.
A crop mark plot was compiled for this area ( See drawing (S5) and slide (S6)), and was published in East Anglian Archaeology (S7) to accompany a summary of the site.
Information is recorded in HER Record Card for NHER 12137 (S1) and is repeated in Ordnance Survey Record Cards (S2) and HER Record Notes (S3).
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 14 January 2025.

July 2001. Air Photo Interpretation.
Examination of NLA air photography dated 02 July 1996 (S8).
Cropmarks of three ring ditches (NHER 45032), Roman temple site (NHER 45036) and rectilinear enclosures (NHER 45018) all still visible. Large example double ringed hengiform monument.
These features were previously recorded under NHER 12137.
S. Massey (NLA), 23 July 2001. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 14 January 2025.

September 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of an enclosure complex of unknown definite date are visible on aerial photographs alongside the former railway line and to the north of the Grove, Aldeby (S9-S13). The site is centred on TM 4506 9391. The site consists of a series of single and double ditched rectangular enclosures and trackways of at least two phases. The appearance of the enclosures would make a Roman date seem plausible and the ditches do follow the same alignment as those enclosing the Roman settlement and farmstead 2.5km to the east (NHER 16005). However fieldwalking in 2000 (S14) in the vicinity of the main enclosures did not provided any evidence of intensive Roman activity in this area. Although small amounts of Roman material were found throughout the survey area, it did not predominate as might be expected, see NHER 12137 for details. If this site represented a Roman settlement or religious complex then more Roman finds would be expected. The Roman temple and associated features (NHER 45036), located to the immediate east, have also been laid out following a different alignment. The temple enclosure also appears not to be of the same phase, as it is either be overlain by, or overlies, the main trackway leading to the site. Although it is hard to be certain from the aerial photographs the trackway would seem to be later than the temple enclosure, although it is possible that the site is reworked extensively during the Roman period.

It remains a strong possibility that the cropmarks relate to a series of medieval or post medieval enclosures. The site is aligned broadly the same as ‘The Walk’ leading to Aldeby House Farm to the north. Fieldwalking, centred on TM 4510 9393, in the vicinity of the main enclosures, revealed an assemblage heavily biased towards post medieval date material (NHER 12137) (S14). Large quantities of ‘modern-looking’ bricks have also been recovered from this area, see secondary file for NHER 12137. It is therefore possible that these large rectangular enclosures are post medieval in date. Although there is nothing on the available historic maps to indicate a site of this nature.

The main area of the site consists of a large rectangular enclosure centred on TM 4506 9393. This appears to have several sets of double ditched boundaries running through the enclosure. The entire enclosure is up to 110m by up to 180m, although the southern edge is not clearly defined. The interior of the enclosure is crossed by a series of double ditches, which subdivide the interior. Although some of these ditches are aligned on a slightly different axis to the main enclosure and are therefore likely to be part of a different phase. This elongated rectangular enclosure is approached to the east by a wide double ditched boundary, interpreted as a trackway, 10m across. A field boundary seems to terminate at the line of this trackway and follows roughly the same alignment as the enclosures to the west. This eastern boundary, and others closely associated with it, have the appearance of being post medieval in date, however this is not certain.

To the west of the main elongated enclosure is a multiple ditched boundary or trackway which continues to the south to the road. To the north this feature curves around to the west towards a former quarry pit. This is possibly a later alteration to the site, as this appears to cut through a rectangular enclosed area of field. The land in-between the elongated enclosure and the western boundary or trackway is subdivided into a series of fields.
S. Massey (NMP), 01 September 2006.