NHER 53288 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of a small oblong enclosure

December 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a small oblong enclosure of unknown date and function are visible on aerial photographs to the west of Howe Lane, Howe (S1). Interpretations include a Neolithic funerary enclosure or a medieval to post medieval agricultural enclosure. The site is centred on TG 2740 0024.
The enclosure is 50m by at least 20m, with a tapered northern end, and is positioned alongside Howe Lane, possibly abutting it, although it is feasible that the enclosure underlies the road. In morphological terms alone the shape of the enclosure is reminiscent of a Neolithic long barrow or mortuary enclosure. Prehistoric and specifically Neolithic material have been recovered from the vicinity of the site (NHER 20251, 23780, 28429) and the enclosure is located approximately 100m to the south of a Bronze Age linear barrow cemetery with possible Neolithic origins (NHER 52421). However given the possible relationship with the road, Howe Lane, it is possible that these ditches define a medieval to post medieval agricultural or stock enclosure. It is worth noting that the enclosure bears no relationship with the post medieval field system that is depicted on the 1838 West Poringland and Howe Tithe map (S2), which runs at diagonal angle to the road itself
S. Horlock (NMP), 29 December 2009.