Monument record THB 027 - Cropmarks of fragmentary and multi-phase fields and enclosures

February 2015. Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Beauty National Mapping Programme.
The cropmarks of fragmentary and multi-phase fields and enclosures are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S4). The extent of the site has been extended to the west to include the area of cropmarks identified (S1-S2), but omitted from the mapping due to being wholly outside of the project area. The site consists of field boundaries and enclosures of at least two phases, potentially including Roman and medieval to post medieval features.
The cropmarks within the western part of the site appear to be bounded in part by a fragmentary boundary ditch. This could feasibly be a continuation of the boundary to the north that defines the Leiston/Theberton parish boundary, and could have formerly defined the edge of the Black Walks – an area of heath to the west. This could indicate a medieval to post medieval date for some of these fields and enclosures, despite an apparent disparity with the surrounding landscape. This alignment is also followed by an area of possible medieval to post medieval common-edge enclosures and drains to the west (LCS 189).
Additional cropmarks are also visible within the western unmapped part of the site on (S5).
S. Horlock (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 27th February 2015.