NHER 52208 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of possible ring ditches, possible barrow cemetery or Iron Age roundhouses

March 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of possible ring ditches, possible barrow cemetery or Iron Age roundhouses (S1-S3) to the south of the Roman town of Venta Icenorum (NHER 9786). The site is centred on TG 2301 0310. It must be clearly stated that these ring ditches are generally faint in appearance and many of the examples are of uncertain archaeological origin. Geophysical survey within this south field indicated the possible presence of ring ditches, interpreted as potentially represent the remains of Iron Age roundhouses associated with pre-Roman settlement at the site (S4). A large more convincing ring ditch also sits within the area of this site (NHER 52207) and this has been interpreted as a possible round barrow. Due to the possible presence of ephemeral roundhouse eaves-drip gullies within this field, a number of potential ring ditches have been identified and mapped, despite being somewhat faint and of potential geological origin. These are located at TG 2296 0316 (S2), TG 2299 0318 (S1), TG 2305 0302 (S3) TG 2298 0306 (S3), TG 2295 0310 (S1). An additional possible example was omitted from the mapping at TG 2306 0310 (S1). The excavations planned to take place within this field will potentially reveal further information on the likely origin of these cropmarks.
S. Horlock (NMP), 23 March 2009.

January 2009. Norfolk NMP.
Excavations within this field during the summer of 2009 indicated at least one of the ring ditches detected by the geophysical survey related to an underlying periglacial feature (S5). This could imply that a geological origin for some , if not all, of these ephemeral circular cropmarks
S. Horlock (NMP), 13 January 2009.