NHER 43748 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of a possible Neolithic long barrow or mortuary enclosure

March 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a possible elongated ovoid enclosure, potentially the remains of a long barrow or mortuary enclosure, are visible on aerial photographs to the southwest of Hickling Green (S1). The site is centred on TG 4053 2351. Neolithic artefacts have been recovered within 1.5km of the site (NHER 33450). The site previously interpreted as a Neolithic long barrow (NHER 7366), 2.5km to the east, has since been discounted as a relatively recent earthwork. The remains of a Bronze Age round barrow is located 115m to the south (NHER 36106).

The cropmarks are only visible on one extremely oblique aerial photograph (S1) and are quite ephemeral and it is possible that some of the marks are agricultural and not archaeological in origin. The possible enclosure is suggested by a series of discontinuous ditches forming an ovoid shape, measuring 34m by 10m. This would be quite small by national standards for a Neolithic long barrow or mortuary enclosure. However it is within the size range of other possible Norfolk and Lincolnshire examples. This possible long barrow is aligned along, and is located immediately below, the 5m contour, with the lower valley floor and the peat fens to the east.
S. Massey (NMP), 29 March 2005.