NHER 52227 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of field boundaries and a trackway of Roman or medieval to post medieval date

These cropmarks were previously recorded under NHER 28456.

March 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of boundary ditches and a trackway of either Roman and/or medieval to post medieval date, are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S6) to the southwest of Roman town of Venta Icenorum (NHER 9786). The site is centred on TG 2342 0307. None of the boundaries are marked on nineteenth century historic maps, such as the Tithe map, although the plan of ditches and they way that they relate to other post medieval fields and roads would fit well with a broadly medieval to post medieval date. However there is a possibility that some of the boundaries are Roman in origin. It is worth noting that some of the boundaries appear to run up and not to cross cropmarks of seemingly Roman date, including a main Roman road leading to the southeast from the town (NHER 30288) and possible associated enclosures and boundaries (NHER 52228). If this could therefore indicate that some if not all of these boundary ditches could be Roman in origin. A number of post medieval boundary and drainage ditches recorded to the east (NHER 52211) have been suggested as being Roman in origin also, see NHER 52211 for discussion. The road or bank of possible Roman date (NHER 52226) to the immediate west of the site may also form part of this scheme. If these boundaries and trackway are Roman in date it is likely that they form part of the extramural settlement of the town or alternatively may represent agricultural fields and stock enclosures. If these are Roman then they clearly relate to a separate phase of development to the enclosures to the immediate north and west (NHER 52210 & 52228), seemingly having more in common with the enclosures and boundaries to the south of the town (NHER 52211).
S. Horlock (NMP), 23 March 2009.