NHER 25275 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Earthworks of a possible medieval to post medieval mill

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Summary

The earthworks of a possible medieval to post medieval mill are seen on aerial photographs and visualised lidar data. The earthworks have also been previously suggested to have related to a Bronze Age saucer barrow or a pre Second World War training searchlight position.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TG22NW
Civil Parish COLBY, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

13 April 1989.
Circular ditch 18m diameter, 0.30m deep with slight rise inside ditch, about 0.20m high, reported by informant. Under
hummocky grass near stream, never ploughed within knowledge. Two large oak trees (as marked on early Ordnance Survey map) removed during World War Two. Site used by searchlight territorials before but not during war. Too small for a tree ring and never in park land. Most likely a small saucer barrow.
J. J. Wymer (NAU), 11 May 1989.

March 2023. Aylsham and Brampton Aerial Investigation and Mapping (AIM) Project.
The earthworks of a ring ditch with an internal bank (see above) are seen on aerial photographs and visualised lidar data (S1-S4). It is possible that the feature may relate to the site of a medieval to post medieval windmill or wind pump. A possible break in the features eastern bank may relate to a causeway. The earthworks are clearly visible on the 1946 aerial photographs, recent aerial photographs (2009 and 2017) and the visualised lidar data. It has been previously suggested (see above) that feature may have been used by searchlight territorials before the Second World War. Although this is possible, no features relating to searchlights or infrastructure such as roads or tracks leading to the feature were seen on the 1940s aerial photographs. The form of the earthwork is also more similar to a medieval to post medieval mill site than a Second World War search light position. It has also been previously suggested that the feature may have related to a possible Bronze Age saucer barrow. Although this is possible, the earthworks appear to be more recent on the visualised lidar data suggesting a later, possibly medieval to post medieval, date. The earthworks are also similar to a further possible medieval to post medieval mill site recoded at Buxton with Lammas (NHER 36469) in the south of the project area.
J. Powell (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 30 March 2023.

  • --- Article in Serial: Gurney, D. 1990. Archaeological Finds in Norfolk 1989. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XLI Pt I pp 96-106. p 98.
  • --- Unpublished Document: H. Paterson (A&E), MPP. Management Statement.
  • <S1> Vertical Aerial Photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photography from the Historic England Archive. RAF/CPE/UK/1801 RP 3035-3036 25-OCT-1946.
  • <S2> Vertical Aerial Photograph: Google Earth. ? - present. Google Earth Orthophotographs. https://earth.google.com/web. 12-JUN-2009 Accessed 21-MAR-2023.
  • <S3> Vertical Aerial Photograph: Bluesky International Ltd and Getmapping Plc. unknown. Aerial Photography for Great Britain (APGB) Orthophotographs. https://www.apgb.co.uk. Bluesky International Ltd APGB Imagery TG2329 28-AUG-2017.
  • <S4> LIDAR Airborne Survey: Environment Agency. Environment Agency LIDAR Data. National LIDAR Programme TG22NW DTM 1m 24-NOV-2017.

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Record last edited

Oct 10 2025 3:40PM

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