Monument record STN 189 - Ridges and boundary banks of probable post medieval date

February 2018. 'Brecks from Above' and Breckland National Mapping Programme.
Ridges and boundary banks of probable post medieval date are visible as earthworks on imagery from a 2015 lidar survey (S1). The banks have the same orientation as the multi-banked warren boundary (SHER STN 035) that bounds the site to the east; this also marks the parish and county boundaries. They are therefore likely to be of similar, probably post medieval date, although an earlier origin is possible. Part of one of the banks is depicted on the Ordnance Survey 1st edition 6 inch map (S2). The ridges, which are reminiscent of ridge and furrow, may have been created during temporary cultivation of what was part of Santon Downham Warren, either for arable or for fodder crops for rabbits. Alternatively, they could relate to an early plantation. Several other blocks of similar ridges have been identified in the surrounding area (see SHER STN 162 to the immediate north of the site, for example).
S. Tremlett (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 21st February 2018.