NHER 39049 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Possible Bronze Age ring ditch and site of windmill

December 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A cropmark of a medieval to post medieval post mill, possibly on the site of a Bronze Age round barrow, is visible on aerial photographs (S1-3). The cropmark is centred on TG 3056 3364 and was previously recorded as part of NHER 12818. The ring ditch is hengiform in plan, comprising two semicircular ditches measuring up to 3m across. The external diameter of the ring ditch is 22m and internally it measures 17m. The eastern end of the southern ditch is swollen into a bulbous terminal. Central cross ditches, from the base of a post mill, are clearly visible on the vertical aerial photographs (S3) but is less obvious on the oblique aerial photographs (S1-2). This mill is not marked on Faden’s 1797 map (S4) and had presumably been demolished prior to that date, indicating that it is of medieval to early post medieval date. The ring ditch sits on top of a sinuous curvilinear ditch of probable Bronze Age or Iron Age date (NHER 39050) and it is possible that it was located on top of a previously existing round barrow.
(S1-4)
J. Albone (NMP), 7 December 2004