NHER 53627 (Monument record) - Cropmark enclosures of probable Roman date

June 2010. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a rectangular enclosure or enclosures and ditches of probable Roman date are visible on aerial photographs to the north of St Andrew's Church, Honingham (S1-S4). The site is centred on TG 1132 1147. The main component of the site is a sub-rectangular enclosure, with rounded corners giving it a ‘playing card’ shape and measuring 52m by 68m (S2-S4). Finds of a Prehistoric, Roman and Saxon date have been found within the general vicinity (NHER 17937, 20008, 28684, 29708 & 36671), with the Roman material having the closest association. It is feasible given the morphology of the sub-rectangular enclosure that it represents a Roman temporary camp, although a domestic enclosure is also a strong possibility. To the northwest of the enclosure is polygonal outer ditch, although it is not immediately apparent whether this represents a feature contemporary with the rectangular enclosure. However it seems likely that the two ditch circuits were part of the same site, with one being constructed in relation to the other. The apparent shared alignment and positioning of the western entrances is likely to be a product of the fact that both ditches are cut across by later post medieval field boundaries, which are depicted on the 1839 Honingham Tithe map (S5). A number of fragmentary ditches to the south and east of the enclosure are likely to represent the remains of former field boundaries, potentially of later prehistoric or Roman date. An L-shaped ditch tentatively mapped to the northwest (S2) could represent the remains of an additional enclosure, although this is not certain. Other linear and rectilinear cropmarks of probable geological and agricultural origin visible on (S2) in this area were omitted from the mapping, as were any of the components of the post medieval field layout.
S. Horlock (NMP), 8 June 2010.

November 2019-February 2020. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of land on route of proposed North Tuddenham to Easton A47 Improvement Works.
One of the areas examined coincided with the two adjacent cropmarks mapped at TG 1120 1154. No evidence for surviving sub-surface remains was identified.
See NHER 65203 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 10 May 2022.

July-October 2020. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of land on route of proposed North Tuddenham to Easton A47 Improvement Works.
This phase of work saw two trenches placed across the two adjacent cropmark mapped at TG 1120 1154. There was again no evidence for any associated surviving remains.
See report (S6) and NHER 65203 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 10 May 2022.