NHER 67777 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Earthworks of a medieval common edge boundary and probable medieval settlement features or field boundaries

December 2023. Wendling Beck and Fransham Aerial Investigation and Mapping (AIM) Project.
Possible sections of a medieval common edge boundary and further boundary ditches, probably relating to medieval settlement or former field boundaries, are seen as earthworks and cropmarks on aerial photographs (S1-S4). The bank and ditch feature aligned approximately northeast – southwest in the north of the area (centred at TF 9001 1181) may relate to a section of a medieval common edge boundary. The cropmarks of a further section of ditch, centred at approximately TF 8993 1167, may also relate to a section of the common edge boundary. It is also possible that this feature may relate to a sperate field boundary. The ditch features centred at approximately TF 9002 1173 may relate to boundary ditches associated with medieval settlement, medieval to post medieval field boundaries or former drainage ditches. The features are visible as earthworks on the 1940s aerial photographs (S1-S2). The features are subsequently levelled and visible as cropmarks along with additional cropmark features on S3 and S4. Previous investigations have been undertaken at the site including field walking (NHER 25559), which recovered medieval and post medieval pottery, and excavations (NHER 64657) undertaken a head of development. It is possible that features identified as part of the previous excavations may equate to some of the earthworks and cropmarks mapped as part of this project. The features are not recorded on the readily available historic maps (such as S5). The cropmarks of features which may relate to geological or modern agricultural features are also visible on S4 and S5. It is possible that some of the mapped features may be geological or modern in origin. It is also possible that some of the features dismissed as geological or modern may relate to archaeological features.
J. Powell (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 04 December 2023.