NHER 50940 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of field boundaries of unknown date and origin

March 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of undated fragmentary ditches and field boundaries, probably representing more than one phase of features, are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Thieves’ Bridge Road, Watlington (S1). A late prehistoric to Roman date could be suggested for some of these cropmarks, although much of the site is too fragmentary to offer any more detailed interpretation. Similarly aligned features have been mapped to northeast (NHER 50943) and these have tentatively dated to the late prehistoric period, although this is not certain. Ditches of Neolithic date have been excavated within the area of the late Iron Age to Roman settlement at 60 Acre Field and Police House Field, Watlington (NHER 39457-8), located to the northwest, although there is no clear evidence that these cropmarks are related to the settlement. However finds of a Roman date have been found within the general vicinity of the site (NHER 29718).

There is a concentration of cropmarks at TF 6252 1001, which would appear to consist of a series of boundary ditches and field boundaries. Although this area of cropmarks appears to be locate over the Mudstone bedrock with no overlying superficial gravel deposits, so it possible that these linear ditches recorded form the aerial photographs are in fact drainage ditches, although the appearance of the cropmarks would suggest something more akin to archaeological features relating to former fields and possible rectilinear enclosures. It is possible that the mudstone at the location of these cropmarks is covered by an unmapped geological deposit.
S. Massey (NMP), 05 March 2008.