NHER 45050 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of probable medieval postmill

PREVIOUS RECORDED UNDER NHER 11787.

1976. Aerial Photograph Interpretation.
More lines and a causewayed ring ditch shown 1976 on (S1) at TG 5140 0200 in Great Yarmouth (Gorleston).
Area greatly extended from overlays 1983.
Information from (S4). Previously recorded under NHER 11787.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 March 2019.

D. Edwards (NAU) 19 November 1985 suggests the causewayed ring ditch is reused as a mill site as it has a cross in the centre. Seen on CUCAP aerial photograph (S2).
Information from (S4). Previously recorded under NHER 11787.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 March 2019.

August 1998. Trial Trenching.
Partial evaluation of South Gorleston Development Area (Stage 1; Trenches 21-24).
A trench placed to investigate this cropmark ring-ditch revealed two substantial ditches that clearly corresponded with its western and eastern sides and a group of what appeared to be intercutting midway between them. The ditches produced a relatively large assemblage of post-Roman finds, including pottery of predominantly medieval date. At the time of its excavation the ring-ditch and its associated features were however still regarded as most likely the remains of a funerary monument, with the central features potentially representing deliberately disturbed burial pits. It was however suggested that the presence of so much medieval material made it more likely to be of Anglo-Saxon rather than prehistoric date.
See NHER 57862 and report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 March 2019.

September 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a causewayed ring ditch, probably the remains of a medieval postmill, are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Wood Farm, Gorleston on Sea (S1-S2). The site is centred on TG 5154 0213. This site has previously been interpreted as a barrow of either Bronze Age or Saxon date and has been subject to partial excavation in 1998 (S3). The aerial photographs reveal a central cross, which is characteristic of a postmill. It is possible that an earlier barrow was re-used as a mill, although the excavation results possibly also suggest a historic, rather than prehistoric site.

The causewayed ring ditch has a 19.5m external diameter, with ditches up to 3.5m wide and with 3 definite causeways. In the centre is clear 4m across cross-shaped slot, indicating the former presence of a postmill. It is possible that an existing round barrow was used as a mill stance, and other possible barrow sites have been identified in the area (NHER 43551-4), however the excavation results would appear to indicate a later structure. The fills of the ditch contained significant amounts of medieval pottery as well as brick fragments. The excavators interpreted the central pit as the possible remains of a grave-robbing episode, followed by an antiquarian excavation. However the cross-shape revealed by the aerial photographs would suggest that this is unlikely. The barrow was interpreted as being possibly Saxon date, with the medieval finds accumulating in slumped ditch deposits. The aerial photographic evidence would probably suggest that the entire structure is medieval in date.
See NHER 57862 for further information on the features excavated in 1998.
S. Massey (NMP), 12 September 2006.