Monument record LUD 016 - Extensive area of coaxial and rectilinear field systems, trackways and enclosures of unknown, but feasibly Roman date (and BACKLOG)

Extensive multi-period linear cropmark systems noted on SAU AP 1977, adjacent to LUD 009 (CRN 01787) (S1)(S2)(S3).

January 2014. Lothingland, Lowestoft and North Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Mapping Programme.
An extensive area of coaxial and rectilinear field systems, trackways and enclosures of unknown, but feasibly Roman and/or medieval to post medieval in date are recorded across a large area (approximately 4km by 1.5km) of the Lound and Somerleyton, Ashby and Herringfleet parishes, from aerial photographs (S4-S25, S28-S33). The site is centred on TM 4964 9935. Some of these cropmarks were previously recorded under ASY 003, ASY 016 and LUD 023.
It is not possible within the current project scope to attempt to refine the phasing of this large field system. It is likely that it represents more than one phase of features that follow a similar alignment or re-use and incorporate earlier boundaries. There is also some clear crossover and joining of seemingly separate phases of fields in place, in particular at west of Manor Farm at Lound (formerly recorded as LUD 023), where elements of another co-axial system (SOL 010), assumed by be earlier, are incorporated. A group of fields and trackways to the northwest, in the area of Ashbyhall Farm (ASY 002) have been recorded separately, but it is clear that elements of this field layout continue into this area. Cropmarks in the vicinity of St Mary's Church at Ashby Green may relate to an area of medieval settlement, previously suggested in this area, see ASY 010 for details.
Although none of these boundaries are depicted on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map (S26), or in many cases appear to underlie them, the general orientation of them in places is the same as the surrounding medieval to post medieval boundaries, although it may just reflect the continuing influence of earlier features in landscape development. Comparison with the 1652 Estate Map of Somerleyton (S27) would suggest that at least some of the boundaries continue in use into the medieval to post medieval landscape or feasibly represent later features. The area to the north of Border Lane, Lound, includes some broad soilmarks of former banks and and /or hedges and hollow ways, suggesting that at least some of these features may have been extant into the twentieth century. Whilst it is feasible that this cropmark landscape represents a historic one that has been subject to a massive degree of boundary change, it seems unlikely that there has been such wholesale and consistent change over such a large area. On morphological grounds these enclosures, trackways and fields could be interpreted as being Roman in date, in particular within the northeastern part of the site around Lodge Farm. A Roman coin (LUD 106 - MSF15160), has been found near area of enclosures and trackways in this area. Although a later prehistoric date is also possible.
Although the character of the field system over the whole area is changeable, it can broadly be characterised as being arranged around a series of trackways – in particular within the northeastern part of the system. Much of the landscape may represent agricultural fields and paddocks, however there are areas that may represent locations of settlement, for example in the Lodge Farm area (c. TM 5090 0005) and to the north of Somerleyton Park.
An antiqurian record to prehistoric or Roman dwellings in Lound (EHA TG 50 SW 32), may be of relevance to these cropmarks, but little useful information is included within the EHA record to help interpretation.
S. Horlock (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 28th January 2014.

March 2023. Assessment of the Character and Significance of East Anglian Field Systems project.
The site described above was included in the dataset analysed for the Historic England-funded Assessment of East Anglian Field Systems project. See the project report (S34) for further details.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk County Council Environment Team), 21 March 2023.