NHER 50970 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of a ring ditch, possibly a late Iron Age mortuary enclosure
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Summary
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Location
| Map sheet | TF61SW |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | WATLINGTON, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK |
Map
Full Description
March 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a ring ditch of unknown, but probable late Iron Age date, are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2) within the Watlington cropmark complex (NHER 11724). The site is centred on TF 63101062.
The ring ditch is 12m in diameter and appears to have an internal pit, which may have held a cremation deposit. A possible oblong ditch may also be apparent within the ring ditch, although it is feasible that both these features relate to a later phase of the site. Although it is possible that this ring ditch relates to a former Bronze Age round barrow or roundhouse contemporary with the settlement. The size of this ring ditch compares well with the excavated circular mortuary enclosure, measuring around 12m across (S3). Another small ditched enclosure, more oblong in shape, again with a central pit, was also interpreted as a mortuary enclosure.
S. Massey (NMP), 05 March 2008.
Fieldwork on this site is recorded under NHER 39458.
Associated Sources (5)
- <S1> SNF87690 Vertical Aerial Photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photography from the Historic England Archive. RAF/106G/UK/1606 2332-2333 27-JUN-1946.
- <S2> SNF10367 Oblique Aerial Photograph: Various. ? - 2020. Norfolk Air Photo Library: Oblique Collection. TF6310/G(a-b); 12-JUL-1974 (HES 13/SLIDE).
- <S3> SNF10367 Oblique Aerial Photograph: Various. ? - 2020. Norfolk Air Photo Library: Oblique Collection. TF6310/B; 12-JUL-1974 (HES 13/ADF 6).
- <S4> SNF10367 Oblique Aerial Photograph: Various. ? - 2020. Norfolk Air Photo Library: Oblique Collection. TF6310/S; 27-JUL-1978 (Aerial Archaeology Foundation 171/(AAF) 16).
- <S4> SNF57321 Unpublished Contractor Report: Town, M. 2004. Preliminary Assessment of Significance. Watlington Quarry, Norfolk (Sixty Acre Field - Mineral Extraction Phases 1, 1a and 2). Norfolk Archaeological Unit. 956.
Site and Feature Types and Periods (8)
- RING DITCH (Bronze Age - 2350 BC? to 701 BC?)
- ROUND BARROW? (Bronze Age - 2350 BC? to 701 BC?)
- PIT (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC? to 409 AD?)
- MORTUARY ENCLOSURE? (Late Iron Age - 100 BC to 42 AD?)
- RING DITCH (Late Iron Age to Roman - 100 BC? to 409 AD?)
- ROUND HOUSE (DOMESTIC)? (Late Iron Age to Roman - 100 BC? to 409 AD?)
- PIT (Unknown date)
- RING DITCH (Unknown date)
Object Types (0)
Related NHER Records (0)
Record last edited
Apr 1 2025 11:57AM