NHER 52186 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of double ditched trapezoidal enclosure

This site was previously recorded under NHER 9743.

March 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a large double ditched trapezoidal enclosure, potentially representing the remains of a Roman temple complex or similar high status site, is visible on aerial photographs (S1-S3) to the west of the Roman town of Venta Icenorum (NHER 9786). It is feasible that the double ditches represent the former lines of a wide portico or covered walkway around the outside of the enclosure, which could have acted as a ‘temenos’ surrounding a Romano-Celtic temple, such as that at Gosbeck’s Farm, Colchester. Alternatively the ditches or portico could have enclosed a high status building such as a villa, although it may be located in too close proximity to the town to have housed such a site, which would normally be located within a rural estate and not within an urban context. However it is feasible that this enclosure housed an important public building with a non-religious function. This area unsurprisingly, given its proximity to the Roman town, has yielded numerous Roman date finds (NHER 9743).

The site sits within an area of further enclosures and boundaries (NHER 52187), possibly indicating an extension of the extramural settlement to the west of the walled town, or it is possible that some of the boundaries relate to agricultural areas and stock enclosures. However given the close relationship to the possible temple complex or high status enclosure, a non-agricultural interpretation might be favoured. These cropmarks, which are centred on TG 2235 0328, were previously recorded under NHER 9743.
The enclosure is trapezoidal in shape and measures approximately 80m by 80m. On the northern side of the enclosure, the inner and outer ditches are 7m apart, whereas on the remaining three sides the ditches are 12m apart, although this would seem exceptionally wide for a portico or covered walkway. The western part of the site is slightly obscured by geological cropmarks and the edge of former pit or quarry. The central area of the enclosure shows a distinctly darker area, which could indicate that the inner surface was slightly sunken, however a geological origin for this cropmark seems most likely. Few convincing internal features, in particular nothing clearly resembling a temple, were identified, other than a few ditch sections. A linear parchmark possibly running across the northeastern part of the enclosure in 1980 (S2) was not mapped as its archaeological origin was uncertain. A possible rectangular parchmark, possible indicating the remains of a rectangular building measuring 11m by 6m, may be visible within the northeastern corner of the enclosure, approximately TG 2237 0330 in aerial photographs from 1980 (S3). Although it must be stated that this feature was not mapped as the cropmarks could not convincingly be distinguished from the surrounding geological cropmarks, some of which are markedly rectilinear in shape. Additionally the alignment and positioning of this possible enclosure would not fit with the plan of the large enclosure, and would infact either overlie or be overlain by the inner eastern ditch.
S. Horlock (NMP), 23 March 2009.