NHER 38443 (Monument record) - Possible post medieval water meadows

February 2004, Norfolk NMP
Possible post medieval water meadows visible as earthworks on 1946 RAF aerial photographs (S1) and soilmarks on 1964 RAF aerial photographs (S2). Floated water meadows of this type comprised a system of channels and drains to create a managed flow of water across the surface of the meadow. This encouraged growth of the grass early in the year to provide spring grazing for livestock. At this site, ten parallel north to south aligned ditches are visible in pasture on the 1946 photographs. By 1964 the site had been ploughed and the ditches and their associated banks were visible as soilmarks. The southern extent of the soilmarks is obscured by shadows on the 1964 photographs.
J. Albone (NMP), 05 February 2004.