NHER 50654 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of multi-period fragmentary linear ditches

October 2007. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a series of multi-period fragmentary linear ditches, the majority of which are likely to the remains of former field boundaries, some of which may be Iron Age to Roman in date, are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Morton Plantation (S1-S4). The site is centred on TG 1189 1696.

Finds of Iron Age and Roman date have been recovered from the general vicinity of these cropmarks (NHER 29344, 29962, 25247). Other finds dating from the Neolithic period onwards have also been found in this area. It is likely that the cropmarks mapped represent a palimpsest, multi-period site. Although some of the boundaries would appear to represent a single phase; those that run either parallel or perpendicular to the main ditched boundary running from TG 1181 1700 to TG 1211 1682. The cropmarks follow a similar alignment to a fragmentary group of ditches of unknown date recorded approximately 500m to the east (NHER 50663) and it is possible that the two sites are broadly contemporary.
S. Massey (NMP), 31 October 2007.

June 2015. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of land to south of Morton Plantation.
This survey identified linear anomalies that were likely to correspond with a number of the cropmarks mapping in this field, including the north-west to south-east features between TG 1177 1702 and TG 1185 1698 and similarly-aligned fragmentary cropmark to the west, at TG 1189 1701 and TG 1194 1707. There was however no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with the cluster of linear cropmarks at TG 1179 1703.
See report (S6) and NHER 65117 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 25 June 2021.

February-March 2016. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of land to south of Morton Plantation.
The majority of the cropmarks investigated were found to be associated with surviving ditches (including two that had not been detected by the preceding geophysical survey), although unfortunately no dating evidence was recovered.
It remains unclear whether there are any surviving features associated with the cluster of cropmarks at TG 1179 1703, as no trenches were excavated at this location.
See report (S7) and NHER 65117 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 25 June 2021.