NHER 52448 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Earthworks of unknown date, Kirby Hall park

November 2009. Norfolk NMP.
A group of ephemeral earthworks of unknown date are visible within the former extent of Kirby Hall Park (S1-S3). These are possibly overlain in places by earthworks relating to a former medieval settlement (NHER 52447). The date and origin of these earthworks is uncertain, although it is postulated that some of them may be Roman in date. A significant number of Roman finds have been recovered from the area of the earthworks (NHER 28996) and it is feasible that the line of a Roman road (NHER 9904 – recorded to the immediate west of the site) may have continued through the site, possibly turning to follow an eastern course, the line of which may be fossilized in the straight stretch of parish boundary to the east.
The site is centred on TG 2739 0475 and is located on a narrow promontory in-between the River Yare valley to the north and that of a minor tributary to the Yare, ‘The Beck’ to the south. The earthworks look different in February 1946 (S1) and January 1956 (S2-S3) and features are visible in 1956 that cannot be made out in 1946. This could be due to them relating to activity on the site in-between 1946 and 1956. A number of ephemeral linear features following a similar alignment to the earthworks were omitted from the mapping as they were felt to relate to activity in the field. However the increased number of earthworks visible in 1956 would appear to relate to the fact that the superior earthwork definition and shadows in January 1956 (S2) have resulted in more ephemeral earthworks being visible. The earthworks have since been plough-levelled.
The main component of the site is a ditch running from TG 2725 0465 to TG 2752 0478. This feature appears to run between the two areas of medieval settlement earthworks recorded under NHER 52447. The 1812 Enclosure Map shows a public footpath following the diagonal parish boundary from the corner of the field and then continuing to the northeast (S4). It is feasible that this ditch that runs from the former park entrance to TG 2752 0478, marks the former line of this footpath. Although the fact that it appears to underlie boundaries on the 1812 Enclosure Map (S4) and assumed to represent remains of medieval date (NHER 52447). A series of ditches that run parallel to this ditch are visible to the north and south of this ditch. Some of these earthworks appear to be cut by the medieval to post medieval earthworks, although it is extremely hard to be certain and in many places the relationship cannot be discerned with any confidence. Centred on TG 2739 0474 is an area of faint earthworks which would appear to be aligned along this boundary ditch, rather than in relation to the surrounding medieval to post medieval ditches associated with the settlement and fields (NHER 52447). There are some ditches, in particular in the area of TG 2734 0476, that have shared alignments with both sets of features.
It is possible that the boundary ditch and associated earthworks may in part pre-date the medieval settlement. The fact that a concentration of Roman material, 43 sherds of 2nd century to 4th century date material, and a Roman coin (AD275-364) were found within this area (survey block 82) during the work in advance of the Yelverton to East Carleton Gas Pipeline (NHER 28996) (S5), could indicate that the medieval settlement does overlie an earlier Roman site. However, the likelihood of earthworks of this date surviving within the extent of an area of medieval occupation could be low. If the Roman road did continue east from NHER 9904 and link up with what is now a straight section of parish boundary then it is feasible that the ditch running diagonally through the medieval earthworks, does in part relate to the line of the Roman road. However given the ephemeral and uncertain nature of some of the earthworks then it may be unwise to place too much emphasis on this interpretation.
S. Horlock (NMP), 04 November 2009.