NHER 52489 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Site of multi-phase boundaries and trackways

April 2010. Norfolk NMP.
Some of the cropmarks recorded below were previously recorded as part of NHER 9585.
Linear and rectilinear ditches are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs (S1)-(S28), centred at TG 2433 0534. These are likely to represent several phases of field boundaries, enclosures and trackways. Two relatively coherent areas (NHER 52490-1), each appearing to represent an individual phase, are visible in the site’s central and southeastern quadrant, but the variety of alignments and orientations evident across the site makes such distinctions difficult to define, and many of the features cannot easily be grouped. One of these areas (NHER 52490) includes a possible roundhouse, indicating a possible prehistoric to Roman period date. Other elements follow a similar orientation to modern or recently removed field boundaries, and these may be of post medieval date. The cropmarks surround and overlie those of a Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age barrow cemetery (NHER 53403), and the majority (if not all) are likely to post-date the barrows, which in places they appear to respect (NHER 52482 for example, where parts were excavated during the Southern Bypass excavations (S29)). Some may be contemporary with and/or relate to other sites in the area, including a possibly Bronze Age enclosure close to the northern edge of the site (NHER 52484), and further multi-phase field boundaries, perhaps predominantly of Iron Age to Roman date, visible to the south (NHER 52263). It may also be significant that the cropmarks of possible sunken feature buildings or grubenhauser have been noted in the area (although the archaeological origin of these features is uncertain), while finds ranging in date from the prehistoric period to the post medieval have also been recovered (both NHER 9585).
S. Tremlett (NMP), 12 April 2010.