NHER 45226 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of a ring ditch on the site of Hickling Priory

This ring ditch was previously recorded under NHER 8384.

October 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a ring ditch are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2) within the precinct of Hickling Priory (NHER 8384). The site ditch is centred on TG 4188 2509 and the vertical aerial photographs indicate that the ring ditch is located on slightly higher ground (S1). It is possible that this represents the remains of a Bronze Age round barrow, although it is quite small in size. An alternative explanation is that it is the eavesdrip gully for a late prehistoric or Roman date roundhouse or agricultural structure associated with a group of possible pre-medieval enclosures and fields (NHER 45224). It is also possibly the remains of a structure or feature associated with the Priory itself.

The ring ditch is 7m in diameter and this is quite small for a Bronze Age round barrow. A larger possible ring ditch site is also within the precinct to the south (NHER 45227). The ring ditch is located within a group of possible pre-medieval enclosures and field boundaries (NHER 45224). It is possible given its small size and proximity to these earlier features that it is the eavesdrip gully of a late prehistoric or Roman round house. Although no finds of this date have been found on the site (NHER 8384). A prehistoric flint implement is the only pre-medieval find recovered from the site to date.
S. Massey (NMP), 31 October 2006.