NHER 51578 (Monument record) - Multi-phase cropmarks and geophysical anomalies

January-February 2008. Geophysical Survey.
Magetometry survey of possible aggregate extraction site (Area B).
This survey recorded several anomalies of possible archaeological origin. At least 24 discrete positive anomalies approximately 4m-6m in diameter have been identified as possible pit-like features. These are scattered throughout the field (although six of them appear occur along a north-west to south-east line which runs along the edge of a shallow dry valley) and have been interpreted as possible Prehistoric flint mines. At least 6 similar features have been identified in Area A (NHER 51577) to the west, 2 in Area C (NHER 51579) to the east, and others have previously been identified north of the site (NHER 7798). A Neolithic axehead and borer (NHER 21014) have previously been recovered from this field, and during the geophysical survey flint scatters were noted on the field surface.
At the northern end of the study area, a possible ring ditch has been identified. The anomaly is weak and fragmented, but it is located in an elevated position and has been interpreted as a possible Prehistoric funerary monument. A variety of other linear and pit-like anomalies of uncertain origin, including a ditch-like feature, were also recorded throughout the field along with evidence of a former east-west field boundary, indications of the presence of ferrous material, zones of magnetic debris in the topsoil, indications of modern ploughing, and possible former fluvial features in the southeast of the survey area.
See report (S1) for further details.
H. Hamilton (NLA), 11 June 2008.

2008-2009. Systematic Fieldwalking Survey and Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of possible aggregate extraction site (Area B).
Details awaited.
The archive associated with these phases of work has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2008.95 and NWHCM : 2008.411).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 5 May 2019.

June 2010. Norfolk NMP.
Assessment of the aerial photographs for the area of this geophysical survey revealed numerous fragmentary ditches (S2-S5), a limited number of which corresponded with the results of the geophysics (S1). Further assessment of the cropmarks in relation to the geophysics results would be beneficial, but time is not currently available within the NMP project.
A limited number of the cropmarks recorded corresponded with a number of fragmentary ‘positive linear anomalies’ interpreted as possible ditch-like features, but of uncertain origin (referred to as features 14 in report) (S1), this correlation would indeed suggest that the majority of them are ditches. No convincing sign of a ring ditch corresponding to the one possibly identified by the geophysics was found on the aerial photographs. However two additional possible ring ditches and/or round barrows were tentatively identified elsewhere within the field, see NHER 53657 for details.
The majority ditches mapped would appear to represent several phases of activity and are all likely to relate to former field boundaries of unknown date, although some are likely to be later prehistoric to Roman in date. Finds of a prehistoric and Roman date have been found in the vicinity (NHER 15026, 17037, 17554, 21014 & 22916). Some of the more substantial and regular ditches are likely to be former medieval to post medieval field boundaries, although none of them are depicted on the undated Easton Tithe map (S6)
S. Horlock (NMP), 16 June 2010.