NHER 66949 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Site of probable medieval to post medieval ridge and furrow and field boundaries

June 2023. Wendling Beck and Fransham Aerial Investigation and Mapping (AIM) Project.
Probable medieval to post medieval ridge and furrow and field boundaries are seen as earthworks (since levelled) on aerial photographs (S1-S2). A broad bank is also visible as an earthwork (centred at TF 8842 0948) which may relate to a possible plough headland or field boundary. Linear ditch features which most likely relate to post medieval drainage (not mapped) are also visible across the area on S1 and S2. It is possible that some of the mapped features may relate to former drainage ditches rather than field boundaries. Three pits or sections of ditch have been recorded in the south of the area (centred at approximately TF 8837 0927). It is possible that these features may relate to pits, sections of former boundary ditch or drainage ditches. An earthwork hollow (not mapped) is also visible on S2 centred at approximately TF 8840 0928. The hollow may relate to a natural feature or a possible post medieval drainage channel. The features can be seen as earthworks on the 1940s (S1-S2) aerial photographs and have been levelled by the 1970s (S3). Some of the features are visible as cropmarks on S3 and on recent (2006) aerial photographs (S4). The features are not recorded on the readily available historic maps such as the Ordnance Survey 1st edition 6 inch map (S5). Previous excavations (NHER 65680) in the south of the area (centred at TF 8834 0928) targeted the site of earthworks visible on 1940s aerial photographs. The excavations recorded a number of linear features with limited dating evidence. It was suggested that the excavated features may have related to medieval to post medieval field boundaries and/ or drainage ditches.
J. Powell (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 30 June 2023.