NHER 67561 (Monument record) - Possible prehistoric ring-ditch, post-medieval field boundaries and remains associated with World War Two airfield

February 2022. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site (Area 3).
The most notable response is a fragmentary curvi-linear anomaly in the south-west corner of the field. This has a diameter of 18m and surrounds what appears to be a large central pit. These anomalies have been interpreted as potentially representing the remains of a prehistoric barrow monument.
A cluster of short linear anomalies in the eastern half of the field clearly relate to the World War Two airfield, lying adjacent and perpendicular to the recorded positions of one of the main runways and two adjoining taxiways. It is possible that they represent associated drainage structures. Similar anomalies were also recorded in the field to the east (NHER 66696).
Other anomalies include adjoining west-north-west to east-south-east and north-north-east to south-south-west aligned linear anomalies that correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Rackheath tithe map (S1). A second west-north-west to east-south-east aligned linear anomaly was almost certainly an element of the same field system (though associated with a boundary that had already been removed by the mid 19th century). This anomaly also corresponds with a linear cropmark recorded at this location, which is part of a group of undated and post-medieval field boundaries and other remains recorded as NHER 50725. Two other linear anomalies correspond with cropmarks records as part of this group, one of which – an east-north-east to south-south-west aligned response at TG 2810 1437 – is thought to have been associated with the airfield (being as it runs parallel to one of the taxiways). The second is a probable modern service recorded in the south-west corner of the field. There was no evidence for surviving remains associated with the other linear cropmarks mapped at this location (including several in the north-west corner of the field that are part of a separate group recorded as NHER 50811). There was also no trace of two circular emplacements visible on 1946 aerial photographs at TG 2801 1452 and TG 2792 1424 (recorded under NHER 8170).
The only other responses of note are two linear anomalies, both of which are regarded as being of uncertain origin but could potentially represent archaeologically-significant remains.
Information from report uploaded to OASIS. HER copy awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 November 2023.