NHER 67620 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Site of probable medieval to post medieval settlement

September 2023. Wendling Beck and Fransham Aerial Investigation and Mapping (AIM) Project.
Earthworks (since levelled) associated with probable medieval to post medieval settlement are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946 (S1). The majority of the features are subsequently levelled and are visible as soilmarks on aerial photographs taken in 1971 (S2). Some of the features are visible on the relatively recent (2017) visualised lidar data (S3) and likely still survive as low earthworks. The area is under woodland on recent (2022) aerial photographs (S4). The features most likely relate to boundary banks, boundary ditches, a trackway, enclosures, pits and drainage ditches. The rectilinear pit feature (centred at TF 9220 1103) and the mound centred at TF 9214 1106 may have related to the site of former buildings. It is also possible that the rectilinear pit may have related to extraction. The features likely date to the medieval period. However, a post medieval date for the features cannot be ruled out. The features are not recorded on the readily accessible historic maps (such as S5-S7) but do fit the same general pattern and orientation of the boundaries recorded on the historic maps. The settlement features may be associated with an area of medieval to post medieval ridge and furrow and field boundaries recorded in close proximity to the south.
J. Powell (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 29 September 2023.