Monument record HRK 001 - Cropmarks of a field system and associated trackways

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Summary

A probable Later Prehistoric or Roman field system and associated trackways are visible on aerial photographs in fields to the west of Rence Park Farm, Harkstead

Location

Grid reference Centred TM 2052 3520 (730m by 800m)
Map sheet TM23NW
Civil Parish HARKSTEAD, BABERGH, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (4)

Full Description

Part of HRK 001 (sf 8298). Complex field system, with linear field boundaries, on a N-S axis. Several short lengths of field boundary intersect, with two strips of trackway apparent (S1-S3). S of similar field boundary complex, HRK 011 and concentric ring ditch, HRK 031.
A probable Later Prehistoric or Roman ditch-defined field system and associated ditch-defined trackways are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs, centred on TM 20663509 in fields to the west of Rence Park Farm in Harkstead parish. At the southern end of the site a D-shaped enclosure, or combination of enclosures, is visible defined, particularly at the western end, by a substantial ditch. There is large gap in the enclosure ditch on the northern side which may represent an entrance. Linear ditches divide the interior of the enclosure with one such feature running directly through the possible enclosure entrance. Some of these linear features may be natural. Running around the western side of the D-shaped enclosure and up through the site from TM 20623485 to TM 20643537 is a large ditched trackway or boundary feature which appears to have varied slightly in its course over time. Aligned on and associated with this trackway are the remains of a rectilinear field system, the most clearly defined enclosure measuring roughly 70m by 70m. Other linear ditches and trackways on a similar alignment are visible extending to the west and north, such as the stretch of trackway at TM 20443545. The relationship between the trackway, D-shaped enclosure and rectilinear enclosure at TM 20643496 might suggest that at least two phases of activity are visible with the rectilinear enclosures respecting the earlier D-shaped enclosure but this is impossible to confirm from aerial photography alone. (S1- S8)
NB HRK 001 appears to record the same site. See HRK 064 for the nearby ring ditch. (S9)

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <S10> Oblique Aerial Photograph: English Heritage Archive. Oblique Aerial Photograph. TM2035/048-055, 24-Jun-2008, (EHA).
  • <S11> Vertical Aerial Photograph: various. Google Earth / Bing Maps. Google Earth, 2009,.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Jul 28 2016 3:44PM

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