NHER 44807 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of enclosures and field boundaries of possible Iron Age to Roman date

March 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of enclosures and field boundaries of possible Iron Age to Roman date are visible on aerial photographs to the north of Stalham Road, Hickling (S1-S5). The site is centred on TG 4059 2421. These enclosures and associated fields and trackways have been dated on largely morphological grounds, although a piece of Roman pottery has been found nearby (NHER 12456). It is likely that these cropmarks represent a farmstead or small group of dwellings with attached fields. Two ring ditches, interpreted as Bronze Age round barrows (NHER 29749 and 44806), are located within the area of these enclosures and fields. All of these cropmarks are also located within a wider spread of multiphase and largely undated cropmarks (NHER 44813).

At TG 4067 2428 is an incomplete sub-rectangular enclosure, measuring 49m by at least 35m. The ditches are up to 2m across and a clearly defined entrance, facing southeast, is indicated by a break in the ditch (S5). A northwestern enclosing ditch of similar proportions is not visible, although a short section of much narrower ditch is recorded 44m from the front entrance may indicate the original size of the enclosure. One of the possible round barrows (NHER 44806) is located in front of and slightly down slope of the enclosure. There is nothing in the positioning of this ring ditch in relation to these cropmarks that would suggest that this is a hut circle rather than round barrow. In fact, ditches following the dominant alignment of the site, and interpreted as being broadly the same date, appear to cut though the round barrow site. To the immediate south of the enclosure is a ditch running to the southwest and possible forming part of an additional enclosure, centred on TG 4063 2421 and measuring approximately 35m². Again a break in the ditch facing southeast, may indicate an entrance. A third possible enclosure, approximately 20m across, may be visible at TG 4063 2414 (S5), although this appears to be cut by or overlies a ditch following the same alignment as those to the north associated with the other larger enclosures.

The remainder of the site has been interpreted as field boundaries and, where double ditched, as trackways running through the fields. These field boundaries are visible in two distinct groups, one centred on TG 4042 2404, to the west of one of the round barrows (NHER 29749) and another at TG 4061 2442. The fields appear to be defined by either single ditches or double ditched boundaries running down the gentle slope to the peat fen below to the east. A possible continuation of these fields has been recorded at TG 4087 2417 (S2).
S. Massey (NMP), 29 March 2005.