NHER 23998 (Monument record) - Undated timber circle on Holme Beach

The Norfolk Heritage Explorer is a filtered version of the Norfolk HER intended for casual research. Please to consult the full record.

See also further .

Summary

In 1987 a timber circle was exposed by tidal erosion on Holme Beach. It is uncertain whether this was one of the two Bronze Age timber circles (NHER 33771 and 38044) recorded in the late 1990s or a third timber circle. Different archaeologists have varying opinions about this. Whichever of these possibilities is the case, the site is located within a sensitive and fragile National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest and Natura 2000 site. Holme Beach should be visited with great care not to disturb nesting or wintering birds.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TF64SE
Civil Parish HOLME NEXT THE SEA, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

August 1987.
On low tide mark.
Double ring of wooden posts in area of submerged forest reported by [1] who knows beach well and says it has never exposed before, to [2], warden of bird reserve.

7 August 1987. Visit.
Rings submerged but visible and silting fast. Rough diameter 6.1m (20 feet) of inner ring. Outer ring 2.1m (7 feet) wider. Sited opposite an old wreck.
Sample of wood sent to J. Wymer (NAU).
E.M. James (KLM), 7 August 1987.

September 1987.
Outer ring now found to be a bank. Specimen post measured under water as about 20cm (8 inches) and posts about 20cm (8 inches) apart.
Sample of wood from post and two nearby pieces of wood sent to J. Wymer (NAU).
E.M. James (KLM), 15 September 1987.

An aurochs skull was found nearby.
It seems to be certain that this is not the same site as NHER 33771 as no tree trunk was seen in the centre.
E. Rose (NLA), 1 February 1999.

6 February 1999. Site visted by [3] and [4].
Nothing visible. Any structure now covered by sand.
D. Gurney (NLA), February 1999.

2002.
Although the original record was complied by E.M. James (KLM), the location was given by D. Jones (KLM).
In 2002 D. Jones still believes this is the correct location. However, the site was revisited by E.M. James in January 2002, who believes that the correct location is the structure now known as 'Seahenge II' (NHER 38044).
M. Brennand (NLA), however, thinks that from the dimensions given it was 'Seahenge I' (NHER 33771) before the central tree was visible.
E. Rose (NLA), 2 February 2002.

  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.

Object Types (0)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Nov 25 2014 5:03PM

Comments and Feedback

Your feedback is welcome; if you can provide any new information about this record, please contact the Norfolk Historic Environment Record.