NHER 38671 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Earthwork of Bronze Age ring barrow

June 2004, Norfolk NMP.
A possible ring barrow is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs (S1), centred at TG 2176 3850. The area is notable for its evidence of prehistoric ceremonial and funerary activity and a number of Bronze Age barrows have been identified in the vicinity. While it is possible that the site is associated with the military training area which occupied this part of the heath in World War Two (NHER 38621), the earthworks do not look fresh enough to be part of this activity. Alternatively, they might be associated with the probable iron ore extraction and/or smelting site immediately to the east (NHER 38672), but the earthworks of the possible barrow are less substantial than those of the extraction pits. The interpretation of the site as a Bronze Age ring barrow therefore seems plausible, although it should be treated with caution in the absence of corroborative evidence.

The site is visible as the earthwork of a sub-circular ring ditch measuring 21m long and 16.5m wide. The southern side of the ring ditch appears to be open; the break on its north side may be due the earthworks being masked by vegetation. An external bank is visible on the east side of the ring ditch. No internal mound is visible suggesting that, if the site is a Bronze Age barrow, it is either a ring barrow or any mound survives as an earthwork too small or too mutilated to be recognisable on aerial photographs.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 30 June 2004.