NHER 52028 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of possible Roman or medieval to post medieval field boundaries

April 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of field boundaries of either Roman or medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1) to the north of the Keswick and Swardeston parish boundary, which is likely to have originated from the line of the Roman road (NHER 52027) from Crownthorpe Roman settlement and Caistor Roman town (NHER 9786). The site is centred on TG 2053 0360. The field boundaries are aligned parallel or perpendicular to the Roman road and parish boundary. Although not marked on the 1847 Keswick Tithe map (S2) they do broadly fit into the field layout depicted to the north. The cropmark field boundary heading to the north could feasibly have joined with the boundaries depicted on the map to the north. However given the cropmarks shared alignment with the Roman road, it is feasible that they represent the remains of ditches of Roman date or alternatively former medieval to post medieval boundaries that owe their origins to the continuing influence of this alignment in the medieval to post medieval landscape.
S. Horlock (NMP), 1 April 2009.