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Norfolk Heritage Explorer

Record Details

NHER Number:	2477
Type of record:	Monument
Name:	Cropmarks of possible ring ditches and Roman field system

Summary

Aerial photographs from the 1940s recorded cropmarks of ring ditches and a possible barrow in this area. Multiple linear and curvilinear features appear on later aerial photographs, and probably represent a Roman field system. Fragments of Roman pottery and briquetage from salt production have also been found on the site.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:	TL 503 951
Map Sheet:	TL59NW
Parish:	UPWELL, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK
	WELNEY, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Full description

1956/7.
Cropmarks - Roman fields?
St Joseph aerial photographs (copy (S1)).
NB the cropmarks as drawn on (S2) do not correspond with the marks seen on unit aerial photographs.

1 July 1976. Ordnance Survey air photography. Site extended to Chestnut Farm.
Positive cropmarks.
Multiple linear curvilinear features.
The features in the south field are almost certainly Roman as they fit in with the layout visible to the southwest (NHER 2477). However the other two fields, particularly the northern most one show cropmarks that may be of a more recent origin.
D. Voisey (NLA), 27 February 1995.

4 August 1977.
Unit aerial photographs greatly extend area - runs on into Cambs.
J.E. Bown (NAU) 8 October 1980.

Pre 1946. Context 1 at 5038 9521.
Small barrow claimed at 52 32' 6" N: 13' 7" E.
See (S3) (calls 'Welney').
Ring ditches also claimed (haystack mounds?).
Checked by E. Rose (NAU); originally NCM cards by R.R. Clarke (NCM).
E. Rose (NAU).

No trace of barrow in ploughed field.
A.J. Lawson (NAU) 6 August 1978

20 April 1978. Surface find at grid ref TL 5045 9510.
Small scatter of 2nd to 4th century grey ware, coarse red gritted ware and briquetage.
Found by Ordnance Survey Inspector 'PAS'.
Information from (S4).
E. Rose (NAU) 28 February 1980.

TF 5045 9510 over an area of about 40.0m in diameter.
The sherds occurred at about 3 per sq.metre.
See (S4).
R.J. Rickett (NAU) 22 February 1990

September 2008. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site of proposed reservoir.
Several ditches identified that probably represent the remains of a post-medieval (17th or 18th century) pre-enclosure field system. At least one of these features appears to correspond with a previously identified cropmark.
See report (S5) and NHER 61162 for further details.
S. Howard (NLA), 5 November 2009. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 24 August 2015.

Monument Types

RING DITCH (Unknown date)
SETTLEMENT (Unknown date)
RING DITCH (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
ROUND BARROW (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
FIELD SYSTEM (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
SALT WORKS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FIELD SYSTEM (C17-C18, 16th Century to 18th Century - 1600 AD to 1799 AD?)
STOCK ENCLOSURE (C17-C18, 16th Century to 18th Century - 1600 AD to 1799 AD?)

Associated Finds

BRIQUETAGE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Protected Status - none

Sources and further reading

---	Aerial Photograph: Unit TL5095 D-M, St. Joseph UP58, BFP 2, OS 76/126 295-96, RAF/1634/1221.
---	Aerial Photograph: OS 76-126-296.
---	Aerial Photograph: OS 76-126-297.
---	Monograph: Phillips, C.W.. 1970. The Fenland in Roman Times.. p 235.
---	Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Bronze Age. Upwell.
---	Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Roman. Upwell.
---	Secondary File: Secondary File.
<S1>	Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
<S2>	Map: NCM. NCM Record Map.
<S3>	Article in Serial: Riley. 1946. Antiquity. Antiquity. Vol XX, no.79 p 153.
<S4>	Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TL 59 NW 1.9 [2].
<S5>	Unpublished Contractor Report: Atkins, R. 2008. Post-medieval pasture field system at Pates Farm, near Tipps End, Welney, Norfolk. Oxford Archaeology East. 1065.