NHER 50982 (Monument record) - Multi-phase cropmark site

May 2008. Norfolk NMP.
A large group of undated and multi-phase cropmarks are visible on aerial photographs to the west of the A12 road at Hopton (S1-S5). The archaeological significance and origin of some of these cropmarks is uncertain due to the presence of geological cropmarks within the area of the site. It is therefore possible that some of these features mapped as possible ditches are in fact glacial gullies and channels. Further archaeological evaluation of the mapped components would be required to establish how many actually relate to archaeological features.

The majority of the cropmarks recorded under this site consist of fragmentary ditches, which potentially represent the remains of former field boundaries and ditches of several phases, if they are indeed of an archaeological origin. Cropmarks potentially relating to a fragmentary field system of late prehistoric to Roman date within this area have been recorded under NHER 50981 and cropmarks of medieval to post medieval boundaries are under NHER 46165.

The cropmarks of a large circular pit-like feature are located at TF 5234 9988, adjacent to the cropmarks of a large ring ditch (NHER 49184). It is assumed that this is the remains of an extractive pit or quarry, although archaeological investigation would be required to establish this for certain.

The excavations (details under NHER 16168) within the northern part of this site on the A12 junction revealed a complex area of intercutting pits and ditches (S6). One substantial ditch was excavated to the north of the investigation area and contained a single sherd of Iron Age or Early Saxon pottery, although this appeared to have been residual and the boundary remains undated. The presence of Roman finds in a Saxon pit attests to Roman date activity within the vicinity of the site. The remaining ditches were all post medieval in date (S6), see NHER 46165 for discussion of cropmarks of medieval to post medieval boundaries. Other than those relating to NHER 46165 only cropmark ditch that potentially corresponds with an excavated feature is an undated 3m wide ditch [107] located within the northern part of the site (S6). Although the corresponding cropmark was significantly more narrow than the excavated feature.
S. Massey (NMP), 28 May 2008.

March 2023. Assessment of the Character and Significance of East Anglian Field Systems project.
The site described above was included in the dataset analysed for the Historic England-funded Assessment of East Anglian Field Systems project. See the project report (S7) for further details.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk County Council Environment Team), 22 March 2023.