Monument record BRD 039 - Rectilinear field system of unknown date, visible as cropmarks.

Cropmarks of large rectilinear field system identified on USAF AP shown to (see 'Not to be published on web' tab for finder/s and/or findspot/s) (S1). Map plotting approximate only. Field pattern follows contours and bears no correspondence with modern one. Possible relation to cropmarks in BRD 7 & BRD 10
1946 APs show some field system cropmarks only on fields centred TL 743 856 (photo taken in summer when crop growth inhibits visibility)(S2).

March 2017. 'Brecks from Above' and Breckland National Mapping Programme.
The main area of soilmarks and cropmarks of the previously recorded field system and trackway are visible on aerial photographs (S3-S6), but were not mapped due to them falling largely outside of the project area. The date of the fields and trackway are not certain, although it is possible that they relate to the substantial Roman site to the northwest (BRD 007-008). Only a small proportion of the site was included within the project area and only the aerial photographs relating to this eastern area were assessed.
The features within the eastern part of the site were less well defined than those to the west and appeared to represent either a pair of hollow ways or routeways – the remains of which may have been quite spread by the plough. The extremely wide hollow-like features have been mapped by an ‘extent of area’. It is worth noting that it is possible that these large-scale features may actually relate to natural gullies running down to the valley floor. They have been mapped as potential archaeological features due to the apparent relationship with the broad field boundaries to the west. Several other broad soilmarks were omitted due to uncertainty over the archaeological origin.
Also identified were some fragmentary ditch and trackways sections, some of which follow broadly the same alignment as the field system previously recorded to the west. Three possible sub-rectangular platforms or compacted surfaces were tentatively identified, although these may relate to non-archaeological features.
Some other possible linear and rectilinear soil and cropmarks were omitted from the mapping, due to some uncertainty over their origin. So it must be borne in mind that other archaeological features exist in addition to those mapped.
S. Horlock (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 19th March 2017.