Monument record HPN 026 - Post medieval ditch, Land off Thelnetham Road, Hopton

Geophysical survey identified a small number of anomalies of probable archaeological orignin, despite the sites potential for encountering anomalies of possible prehistoric origin. Isolated dipolar responses were numerous and have probably been caused by the presence of modern ferrous cultural debris introduced into the topsoil through manuring and loss, rather than resulting from the presence of buried archaeological artefacts. Six areas of magnetic disturbance were recorded, caused by the presence of extant ferrous football posts and by the location of ferrous material and fences along the boundaries. A series of weak positive linear trends have been recorded in both fields orientated north-east to south-west, they are potentially indicative of agricultural strip fields. Further recorded in the dataset were two negative linear trends that are likely to delineate the location of non-ferrous service runs, present near to the eastern and western boundaries of the larger field. Sixteen positive discrete anomalies present predominantly within the northern half of the agricultural field are indicative of archaeological rubbish pits, however this area has been used for bonfires and quarrying which may explain the readings. One weak positive curvilinear anomaly present in the north-western corner of the agricultural field may be indicative of a ring ditch, however equally this anomaly may have been caused by a natural change in the superficial geology. (S1).

An archaeological evaluation involving the excavation of 20 trenches took place at Land off Thelnetham Road, Hopton prior to a planning application for development of the site for housing. The trenches revealed areas of modern disturbance and a single post medieval ditch (S2).