NHER 45054 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of ring ditch and circular mound

September 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a ring ditch and a circular mound, both of which may be remains of Bronze Age round barrows, are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Wood Farm, Gorleston on Sea (S1-S3). The site is centred on TG 5161 0210. An alternative explanation for the ring ditch is that it is the remains of a late prehistoric or Romano-British round house. Ring ditches of a similar size have been interpreted as such features in the surrounding areas (NHER 43494-6, 45051).

The possible remains of a circular mound are suggested by a roughly circular soilmark and slight earthwork, 10m in diameter (S1). This feature is only visible on these aerial photographs. Also showing in this manner in 1953 are a series of medieval to post medieval field boundary banks (NHER 45056). The possible circular mound is located to the immediate west of one of these boundaries. Given the similarity in appearance it is possible that this is mound also dates to the medieval to post medieval period. The feature is located approximately 45m from the cropmarks of a former medieval postmill (NHER 45050). However it is also possible that the mound represents the remnants of a round barrow mound, that has since been plough levelled. A ring ditch of similar dimensions is located at TG 5162 0209, 15m to the east (S2-S3). This may also represent the remains of a round barrow. Other round barrows and ring ditches have been mapped within this area (43551-4).

However an alternative explanation can be suggested for this ring ditch is that it is the remains of a late prehistoric or Romano-British round house. Ring ditches of a similar size have been interpreted as such features in the surrounding areas (NHER 43494-6, 45051). However this ring ditch shows no obvious relation with any of the possible late prehistoric to Roman date enclosures mapped in this area and it is either overlain or overlies a boundary ditch associated with NHER 45052).
S. Massey (NMP), 13 September 2006.