NHER 68104 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Earthworks (mostly levelled) of probable medieval to post medieval paddocks or fields

April 2024. Wendling Beck and Fransham Aerial Investigation and Mapping (AIM) Project.
Rectilinear boundaries relating to probable fields or paddocks of medieval to post medieval date are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 1946 (S1-S2). Visualised lidar data from a survey flown in 2017 (S3) shows that while some remnants may still survive as very low earthworks, most elements have been levelled. The features form part of a swathe of earthworks of broadly medieval to post medieval date located along Watery Lane. This record relates to part of a southern cluster, surrounding the 17th century Old Hall Farm (NHER 2886). These particular boundaries appear to still be partially extant in the 1940s. The widely spaced, north-south oriented elements have the appearance of relatively late, post medieval features, but more narrowly spaced east-west oriented elements in the southeast corner have the appearance of slightly earlier, perhaps medieval features. The possibility that some of the features are drains, as well as or instead of boundaries, cannot be discounted. Finds from the field have been interpreted as relating to Roman and medieval settlement (NHER 53143). Although the character of the mapped features is not particularly indicative of settlement, an association with settlement of either or both dates is also possible.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 12 April 2024.