Monument record BRD 265 - Earthworks, soilmarks and cropmarks of possible settlement from the Roman, Saxon and medieval periods

March 2017. 'Brecks from Above' and Breckland National Mapping Programme.
An area of earthworks, former earthworks, soilmarks and cropmarks of settlement, platforms, boundaries and fields potentially dating from the Roman, Saxon and medieval periods are visible on the aerial photographs (S1-S9) and Environment Agency 1m resolution lidar data (S10). The southern part of this site coincided with the location of finds relating to Roman and Saxon activity and medieval settlement (BRD 075). The finds relating to the medieval settlement may indicate that the majority of the enclosures, platforms and fields relate to activity of this date. However given the high level of Roman and Saxon settlement and activity known in this area, it is feasible that pre-medieval elements are present, in particular to the north of the site adjacent to the River Ouse and where Roman material has been recorded (BRD 035). Note the proximity to the Staunch Meadow Saxon and medieval site (BRD 018, BRD 267).
The site consists of a southern area of enclosures and platforms arranged along a series of tracks and strip fields and broadly coincides with the surface evidence of medieval settlement (BRD 075), although Roman material was also recovered. A broad of hollow and/or boundary ditch runs north from this area and may have acted as a hollow way. The northern part of the site shows evidence of rectilinear enclosures and platforms and may also relate to settlement. Some of which may be Roman or Saxon in date, see BRD 047, BRD 035.
The Environment Agency 1m resolution Lidar data (S10) would indicate that the level of earthwork survival is low across the site, other than the southwestern corner. Some potential features can be tentatively identified within the northern area, but they are located within an area known to have been ploughed and do not relate to the features visible on the aerial photographs and were therefore dismissed as being related to recent activity.
S. Horlock (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 19th March 2017.