NHER 58504 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of multi-period field boundaries and enclosures

January 2022. Aylsham and Brampton Aerial Investigation and Mapping (AIM) Project.
Possible multi-phase linear ditch features are seen as cropmarks on aerial photographs (S1)-(S2). The features most likely relate to a series of boundary ditches, field boundaries, and a possible rectilinear enclosure. It is possible that some of the boundary features and the possible rectilinear enclosure may date to the Iron Age-Roman period. Further elements of the site (particularly in the north-west of the area) may have related to former medieval- post medieval field boundaries. Cropmarks of post medieval field boundaries recorded on the readily available historic maps (for example (S3)) have not been mapped as part of this project. Geological cropmarks are visible across the area and its possible that some of the features maybe natural in origin.
J. Powell (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 12 January 2022.

The majority of the cropmarks described above correspond with linear anomalies identified by a geophysical survey undertaken in 2012 (the results of which are now recorded under NHER 69862). It was noted that the north-west to south-east and north-east to south-west aligned features potentially represent elements of an earlier field system. Two of the other linear cropmarks correspond with ditches that appear to be related to the late post-medieval field system but do not correspond with any of the boundaries shown on the available 19th-century maps. These likely represent either elements of a much earlier precusor to this field system or boundaries removed at a more recent date. The enclosure ditch in the south-west corner of the field was not picked up by this survey, although numerous linear and discrete anomalies were recorded within its interior.
See report (S4) and NHER 69862 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 May 2026.

October-November 2024. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
This work demonstrated that the majority of the cropmarks in this group were associated with surviving sub-surface remains. The group of north-west to south-east and north-east to south-west aligned ditches were shown to be of probable Roman date. The enclosure in the south-west corner of the field proved to be medieval and potentially associated with a small roadside settlement.
See report (S5) and NHER 69862 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 May 2026.