NHER 42461 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Site of probably Bronze Age ring ditches at Dowe Hill Farm

June 1980. Aerial Photography.
A ring ditch is visible at TG 4980 1634 on aerial photographs taken by D. Edwards (S1).
This ring ditch was noted on St Joseph's list.
An informant [1] has advised that this ring ditch is called Hunger Howe on medieval charters (S3).
See aerial photographs (S1) and record cards (S2) and (S3).
This information was previously recorded under NHER 12166. All information relating to this ring ditch has been transferred to this record.
E. Rose (NAU), 9 June 1981. Amended E. Rose (NAU), 28 November 1988. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 15 July 2019.

March 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The southernmost of the ring ditches described below was previously recorded as NHER 12166.

A group of three fragmentary ring ditches is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs (S4)-(S5), centred at TG 4982 1640. Like other ring ditches identified in the area, these are most likely to represent the remains of prehistoric burial mounds, probably dating to the Bronze Age. It should be noted, however, that a number of non-archaeological circular and curvilinear cropmarks are also visible in this field. Consequently, the possibility that at least some of the mapped features reflect the underlying geology or recent agricultural activity, rather than a buried archaeological site, cannot be ruled out.

The clearest cropmark, and the most likely to be archaeological in origin, is a double ring ditch visible at TG 4982 1637. This is probably the ring ditch previously recorded at the site, which is believed to be referred to as ‘Hunger Howe’ in medieval charters (see NHER 12166). It is roughly circular in shape, and measures approximately 16m in diameter externally and 14m internally. It surrounds a small pit or similar feature, which may mark the location of a burial. To the northeast, at TG 4983 1641, is a single ring ditch. This is more oval in shape but still broadly circular, and measures approximately 19.5m in diameter. A fragment of a third ring ditch lies to its northwest (at TG 4981 1642).
S. Tremlett (NMP), 14 March 2006.