NHER 50661 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of fragmentary field boundaries of unknown date

October 2007. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of an area of fragmentary field boundaries of unknown, but possibly Roman or medieval to post medieval date, are visible on aerial photographs to the west of Mileplain Plantation, Attlebridge (S1-S2). The site is centred on TG 1394 1657. The site lies on the middle slopes of the valley side overlooking the River Wensum to the west.

The site consists of a series of field boundaries that would appear to be arranged to either side of trackway or similar double ditched boundary. The plan and alignment of the cropmarks are slightly askew that of the modern fields and those depicted on the 1837 Tithe map (S3) and therefore are likely to medieval or earlier in date. No dating material is available for the area of cropmarks, however a number of Roman date artefacts have been recovered nearby, such as at NHER 20424, 25137, 37277 and 37422. It is therefore possible that these cropmarks relate to agricultural boundaries and enclosures of possible Iron Age to Roman date.

It is worth noting that some sections of the central boundary or trackway do mirror the alignment of some of the main field and plantation boundaries in the area. This could suggest that the cropmarks represent a medieval to post medieval field layout that has been removed by the mid nineteenth century.
S. Massey (NMP), 31 October 2007.