NHER 12850 (Monument record) - Site of probable prehistoric hengiform monument and ring ditch

THE FIELD BOUNDARIES DESCRIBED BELOW, WHICH ARE VISIBLE AS CROPMARKS, ARE NOW RECORDED AS NHER 38960.

Cropmarks of old field boundaries, also two ring ditches, one enclosed in a subcircular enclosure.

It is possible that this is the site referred to as 'remains of an old beacon one mile from Southrepps village on a hill commanding wide views' in (S1) (repeated in (S2)) as there does not seem to be a suitable site for that description within the same approximate radius of the village anywhere else.
E. Rose (NAU), 25 January 1982.

November 2004. Norfolk NMP.
The field boundaries described above, which are visible as cropmarks, are now recorded as NHER 38960 and NHER 38963-4). NMP mapping has led to the alteration of the central grid reference of the site from TG 2670 3735 to TG 2673 3733.

The two ring ditches described above are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs (S3). It seems most likely that they are the remains of Bronze Age round barrows or possibly, in the case of the double ring ditch, a burial mound or other ceremonial monument of Late Neolithic to Bronze Age date. A smooth, regular circular enclosure within an irregular or polygonal outer enclosure is a pattern associated with certain henges and hengiform monuments (S4), but in the absence of a visible bank or entrance the morphology of the double ring ditch cannot be described as truly hengiform. The ring ditches are surrounded, but not slighted, by a number of field boundaries (NHER 38960 and NHER 38963-4), the earliest of which could date back to the Iron Age or Romano-British periods.

In relation to the earlier comments on the site (see above), while either or both ring ditches might be associated with a beacon, they do not occupy the highest available position in the area. The modern contour map would suggest that other locations around Southrepps would be preferable for such a site (e.g. the hilltop at TG 246 374 which lies at 60m rather than 45m OD).

The two ring ditches are both circular in plan and measure up to 15.5m in diameter. The outer circuit of the south-western ring ditch is a segmented circle in plan and measures up to 32m in diameter. Three pits mapped within this may have held posts, burials or votive deposits but should be treated with caution as the background geology is conducive to the formation of pit-like cropmarks. The cropmark of the inner south-western ring ditch weakens on its south-east side, perhaps reflecting the presence of a causeway or shallower cut. An internal pit or slot has been mapped within the north-eastern ring ditch; this could be geological in origin or could represent a grave. A third possible ring ditch (unmapped) at TG 2678 3733 is only visible on one frame of the aerial photographs and is likely to be a geological feature.
(S3)
S. Tremlett (NMP), 4 November 2004.