NHER 50648 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of post medieval field boundaries

November 2007. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a series of post medieval field and property boundaries are visible on aerial photographs to the immediate northeast of Morton village (S1-S2). The site is centred on TG 1240 1723. These cropmarks were previously recorded under NHER 21719.

The cropmarks consist of a series of roughly parallel single and double ditch boundaries that divide the land to the immediate northeast of Morton into portions. Any of the cropmark boundaries that are marked on historic maps, such as the Ordnance Survey first edition (1887-1891) (S3), have not been mapped. The most interesting component of the site (and the only features to have been mapped) is located to the southeast of the site. One of the boundaries appears to divert around a ring ditch, thought to represent the remains of a Bronze Age round barrow (NHER 21719). This would indicate the barrow was still an extant earthwork when the boundary was laid out and has since been plough levelled. A number of other undated fragmentary linear ditches have been included within this site. Other ditches that form distinct groups, such as NHER 50663 and 30314, have been recorded separately.
S. Massey (NMP), 12 November 2007.

February-March 2017. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on possible route of Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm onshore cable.
This survey identified linear anomalies that correspond with several of the southernmost cropmarks in this group, including the sinuous feature that appears to divert around a round barrow (NHER 21719).
Information from draft report. See NHER 66314 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 19 February 2025.

February-June 2022. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm onshore cable.
One of the excavated trenches coincided with two of the southernmost cropmarks in this group. This revealed a ditch associated with the sinuous feature noted above but unfortunately no dating evidence was recovered. There was no evidence for sub-surface remains associated with the straight cropmark running between TG 1254 1694 and TG 1266 1701, although a corresponding anomaly had been identified by the preceding geophysical survey (this feature is associated with a former field boundary shown on 19th-century maps).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 19 February 2025.