NHER 50725 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Site of undated and post medieval field boundaries and other cropmarks

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Summary

An extensive group of undated and post medieval field boundaries and other cropmarks is visible on aerial photographs across the site of Rackheath Airfield (NHER 8170). Many of the cropmarks in this area, particularly those on the eastern side of the former World War Two airfield, can be assigned to a particular phase, whether of postulated Iron Age to Roman date (e.g. NHER 50726) or medieval to post medieval date (e.g. NHER 50727, 17676). The remainder, which are described here, comprise undated elements, including some of doubtful archaeological origin, as well as a number of isolated post medieval field boundaries of negligible significance. A number of large, pit-like features of unknown date also form part of this site.

Protected Status/Designation

None recorded

Location

Map sheet	TG21SE
Civil Parish	RACKHEATH, BROADLAND, NORFOLK

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Full Description

February 2008. Norfolk NMP.
An extensive group of undated and post medieval field boundaries and other cropmarks is visible on aerial photographs (S1)-(S12), centred at TG 2862 1392. They are visible across much of the area of the former World War Two Rackheath Airfield (NHER 8170). An enclosure and what appear to be associated field boundaries, all probably of medieval to post medieval date(e.g. NHER 50727, 17676). The cropmarks described here comprise the remaining, undated elements, which show no overall coherence. Some are of doubtful archaeological origin: clusters of cropmarks, and perhaps enclosures, at TG 2868 1395 or TG 2919 1464 for example, may be of geological or recent agricultural origin, rather than representing genuine archaeological features. Some may instead relate to the World War Two and later airfield. The site also includes a number of large, undated pit-like features, and several isolated post medieval field boundaries of low archaeological significance.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 6 February 2008.

March 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site at land off Wendover Road.
A trench excavated at TG 2787 1412 revealed a ditch that was potentially associated with the intermittent east-to-west aligned linear cropmark recorded at this location. Unfortunately this feature produced no dating evidence, although it was observed to cut through the subsoil layer, suggesting a medieval to post-medieval date was most likely.
See report (S13) and NHER 67560 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 November 2023.

February 2022. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site adjacent to Wroxham Road, Rackheath.
Although a number of the fragmentary cropmarks in this group fell within the area the majority had no associated anomalies. One exception was the fragmentary west-north-west to south-south-east aligned cropmark recorded between TG 2781 1431 and TG 2823 1423. This was almost certain associated with a former post-medieval field boundary.
A north-west to south-east aligned linear cropmark at TG 2783 1425 was also shown to be associated with a modern service.
See NHERs 67561 and 67562 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 November 2023.

Associated Sources (15)

--- SNF102018 Unpublished Contractor Report: Kenyon, R. and Adams, C. 2021. Geophysical Survey Report. Rackheath, Phase 1, Broadland, Norfolk. Magnitude Surveys. MSTG937.
--- SNF102478 Unpublished Contractor Report: Kenyon, R. and Brown, H. 2021. Geophysical Survey Report. Rackheath, Broadland, Norfolk. Magnitude Surveys. MSTG937.
<S1> SNF69324 Vertical Aerial Photograph: Meridian Airmaps Limited. 1976. MAL 76053 094 29-JUN-1976 (NMR).
<S10> SNF69321 Vertical Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1990. OS/90224 131-2 31-JUL-1990 (NMR).
<S11> SNF69635 Vertical Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1990. OS/90224 147-9 31-JUL-1990 (NMR).
<S12> SNF69636 Oblique Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1991. NHER TG 2813N (NLA 291/GGW10) 24-JUN-1991.
<S13> SNF102477 Unpublished Contractor Report: Pullen, S. 2021. Land at Wendover Road, Rackheath, Norfolk: Informative Trenching as Part of a Programme of Mitigation. Pre-Construct Archaeology. R14433.
<S2> SNF69627 Vertical Aerial Photograph: Meridian Airmaps Limited. 1976. MAL 76053 096 29-JUN-1976 (NMR).
<S3> SNF69323 Vertical Aerial Photograph: Meridian Airmaps Limited. 1976. MAL 76053 167 29-JUN-1976 (NMR).
<S4> SNF69629 Vertical Aerial Photograph: Meridian Airmaps Limited. 1976. MAL 76053 169 29-JUN-1976 (NMR).
<S5> SNF69630 Oblique Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (AAF). 1979. NHER TG 2813E-G (AAF 201/6, 202/4) 30-JUL-1979.
<S6> SNF69631 Oblique Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1980. NHER TG 2814K-L (NLA 82/ANT6-7) 09-JUN-1980.
<S7> SNF69632 Oblique Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1980. NHER TG 2714E (NLA 99/AQJ2) 06-AUG-1980.
<S8> SNF69633 Vertical Aerial Photograph: BKS. 1988. BKS 0135-6 07-AUG-1988 (NCC 3280-1).
<S9> SNF69634 Vertical Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1990. OS/90224 092-4 31-JUL-1990 (NMR).

Site and Feature Types and Periods (6)

Object Types (0)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Sep 2 2025 11:16AM