NHER 50911 (Monument record) - Cropmark field boundaries of unknown but possibly Saxon to early medieval date

April 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of field boundaries and pits of unknown date, but possibly post-dating the Roman settlement at Billingford Roman town (NHER 7206), are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S5). The site is centred on TG 0082 2004. This site consists of a series of irregular boundary ditches that appear to form a distinct phase within the Billingford cropmark complex (NHER 50976). It is assumed that these boundaries form an intermediate phase of the site in-between those features dating to the Roman period (NHER 50976) and the medieval to post medieval field boundaries recorded under NHER 50910 and 50977, although this is not certain. Evidence of Saxon date occupation and activity was recovered during the excavations to the immediate south of these cropmarks (S6) and it is possible that some or all of these ditches are Anglo-Saxon or early medieval in date.

The remains of sunken-floored structures or features, grubenhauser, dating to the early Anglo-Saxon period were excavated to the immediate south of this area (S6). These consisted of a sub-rectangular pit or remains of a sunken-featured building, measuring approximately 2.5 by 4m. In close proximity were the remains of three post-built structures, measuring approximately 8-10m long and 5-6m wide (S6). A possible post-built structure may have been visible on the aerial photographs to the immediate south of the Elmham Road. Whilst it is possible that it also represents the remains of an early Saxon post-built structure, it has been recorded as part of NHER 50976 – the record dealing with Roman date cropmarks. The structure would appear to follow the same alignment as the ditches recorded under this number and it is located away from the main concentration of possible post-Roman cropmarks.

The Saxon features excavated were clustered towards the northern part of the excavation area, bordering the previously extracted and back-filled gravel pits. These cropmarks, identified as representing a possible post-Roman phase, would appear to be clustered to the immediate north of these back-filled extraction pits. It is therefore possible that the former gravel pits mark the location of a concentration of Saxon features and this perhaps indicates that significant Saxon date settlement evidence has already been destroyed by gravel extraction at the site.

The cropmarks to the north of the excavated features consist of a series of irregular ditched features, assumed to be boundary ditches. Although it is possible that they represent non-archaeological features as the irregular plan and curvilinear line of some of the ditches could indicate a natural or geological origin. Nothing of a comparably irregular nature was recovered as part of the excavations (S6). The pit-like features mapped could also have geological origin, potentially representing pockets of differential soils within the gravels. However the angular shape of some of the pit-like features could indicate that they represent similar features to the excavated grubenhausers to the south. Two of the pits, centred on TG 0087 2007, are both oblong in shape and measure 3m across. Another slightly angular and elongated pit is located to the west and measures 2.5m by 4.5m. This compares well with the dimensions of the excavated sunken-floored structure to the south (S6). Out of the twenty-four pits mapped in this part of the site, twelve could be said to be noticeably angular or sub-rectangular in shape. It is therefore possible that these pits at least are not natural or geological in origin and may be the remains of Saxon date sunken-floored structures.

It seems likely that the ditches represent fragments of a field system or similar system of boundaries. None of the boundaries appear to follow the alignment of the excavated Roman fields and enclosures to the south. Although one of the boundaries does possibly link up with a post medieval field boundary marked on a map of c. 1700-25 (S7). This could suggest that cropmarks represent an intermediate phase in-between the Roman and late medieval periods of activity at the site.
S. Massey (NMP), 01 May 2008.