NHER 66756 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmark of undated trapezoidal enclosure

July 2023. Aylsham and Brampton Aerial Investigation and Mapping (AIM) Project.
The cropmarks described below were previously recorded as part of NHER 12786.
A trapezoidal enclosure, of unknown but possibly prehistoric date, is visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs (S1-S3). Possible internal features within the enclosure may reflect its use for settlement, or possibly some sort of internal structure or structures. The gap at the southeastern corner of the enclosing ditch circuit appears to be a genuine entrance; the apparent gap at the southwestern corner may be a consequence of the ditch cropmark being masked by geological marks.
The enclosure appears to be respected by, and presumably pre-dates, a rectilinear field system (NHER 12786), which is itself undated, although some elements share their orientation with field boundaries depicted on 19th century maps (such as the Ordnance Survey 1st edition 6 inch, S4). The trapezoidal enclosure and the field system also overlap a rectilinear enclosure and associated ditches (NHER 66755). These are again undated but clearly slight, or are slighted by, the other features. Although it is clear that several phases are represented, the dating and chronology of the various elements is difficult to interpret. The morphology of the trapezoidal enclosure, however, is perhaps more typical of a prehistoric site than one dating to a later period.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 21 July 2023.