Monument record BLN 047 - Multiphase cropmarks of field boundaries

January 2014. Lothingland, Lowestoft and North Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Mapping Programme.
A dispersed and fragmentary cropmark site consisting of multi-period field systems, enclosures and trackways, is visible on aerial photographs (S1-S11). The site is centred on TM 5220 9811. It is thought that the vast majority of cropmarks relate to later prehistoric to Roman date activity, likely to be broadly contemporary with other nearby field system sites (COR 033) and the much more coherent coaxial system to the northwest at Park Farm (SOL 010).
The main characteristic of the site is a series of broadly parallel fragmentary trackways and linear boundaries, at least one of which appears to show the remains of an accompanying bank on (S3) at TM 5253 9796. The northern part of the site, centred on TM 5209 9805, exhibits a different character and alignment and is defined by more enclosure or fields and less by linear boundaries and trackways. Although many of the boundaries appear to be broadly part of the same system, it is clear that the main areas of enclosures to the north of Oak Farm, represent a different phase and potentially the meeting of two different systems or phases. The general alignment of these enclosures and/or fields is partially parallel to the surrounding landscape and could feasibly indicate a medieval to post medieval date, although it may just reflect the continuing influence of earlier features in landscape development. On morphological grounds these enclosures and fields could be interpreted as being Roman in date. Roman finds have also been found in close proximity (BLN Misc - MSF12042). The enclosures are located in the area of a number of ring ditches, for example BLN 009, BLN 004 and BLN 034, which are most likely to represent the remains of round barrows, however it is also feasible that the concentric examples at least (004 & 009) could relate to later prehistoric domestic enclosures and could be broadly contemporary with the surrounding enclosures and fields.
It is not possible within the current project scope to attempt to refine the phasing of these fragmentary and overlying field systems. Very distinct areas representing a different phase have been recorded separately where possible, for example BLN 048. It is also worth noting that this site includes other cropmarks that are likely to represent several phases of activity, some of which may be medieval to post medieval – for example at TM 5231 9784 – although this area shares alignment with components appearing to be much earlier in date and was therefore included within the site.
S. Horlock (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 3rd January 2014.

March 2023. Assessment of the Character and Significance of East Anglian Field Systems project.
The site described above was included in the dataset analysed for the Historic England-funded Assessment of East Anglian Field Systems project. See the project report (S12) for further details.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk County Council Environment Team), 21 March 2023.