NHER 50706 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of possible prehistoric circular enclosure

November 2007. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a large circular enclosure or ring ditch of probable late Neolithic to early Bronze Age date, are visible on aerial photographs of Foxford, Great Witchingham (S1-S2). The site is centred on TG 0965 1875 and is located at the confluence of the River Wensum and a minor tributary. A number of other funerary or ceremonial monuments are located in close proximity to this site. Some of these are possibly broadly contemporary dating to the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age date, such a probable hengiform monument (NHER 1018) and a number ring ditches, (NHER 50707-8), which are probably the remains of Bronze Age round barrows. One of these ring ditches (NHER 50707) sits within this larger enclosure, but may be contemporary.

The ring ditch measures 81m in diameter. Some sections of the cropmarks are extremely faint, in particular the northern arc of the ring ditch, which is only clearly visible on one or two other oblique aerial photographs (S1-S2). It may be that this narrow ditched enclosure represents an ephemeral feature only showing in very good cropmark conditions and perhaps also more easily affected by plough damage. A small square or rectangular enclosure (NHER 50709) would appear to be located within the northern arc of the ring ditch. This cropmark appears much more substantial and shows under more normal cropmark conditions on many of the aerial photographs. While it is possible that the two features are contemporary it seems likely that the relationship is illusory and a product of the palimpsest nature of the site.

This monument may be part of a class of ring ditch known from cropmarks elsewhere, including Cambridgeshire, which are defined by narrow ditches and are generally thought too large to represent normal round barrows, as described in Wilson 2000 (S3), although see below for the Hopton example. It seems likely that these enclosures may have had a ceremonial or funerary function in the prehistoric period. Two other ring ditches of this size have been mapped by the NMP project to date, one at Hopton on Sea (NHER 43526) and Belaugh (NHER 49176). A ring ditch at Somerton (NHER 43425) also measured 70m in diameter and was located within a prehistoric funerary context. The Hopton example is located within a barrow cemetery and would appear to have surrounded a central barrow mound, indicating that this example at least would appear to be funerary related, although it is possible that the two features are not directly contemporary. The large ring ditch or circular enclosure could have been an existing ceremonial site inside of which the barrow was constructed or perhaps the large ditch was dug around an existing barrow. This enclosure at Foxford has a smaller ring ditch located within it, although it is not in the centre and is therefore likely to be of a different date, perhaps postdating the larger circular enclosure.
Also see (S4)
S. Massey (NMP), 30 November 2007.