NHER 53488 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Site of multi-period cropmarks, representing field boundaries, enclosure(s) and perhaps settlement

June 2010. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks described below were previously recorded as part of NHER 15767 and as NHER 15763.
Multi-period cropmarks, representing field boundaries, one or more enclosures and perhaps settlement, potentially ranging in date from the prehistoric period to the post medieval, are visible on aerial photographs (S1)-(S6), centred at TG 1221 0706. The cropmarks overlap with those of two ring ditches (NHER 15767), probable Bronze Age round barrows, which some of the (presumably) later cropmarks appear to respect while others slight them. At least one further small ring ditch, perhaps a round house (at TG 1215 0697), and a possible second or D-shaped enclosure 30m to its southeast, seemingly associated with some of the linear cropmarks, may indicate later prehistoric (Bronze Age to Roman period) settlement. Part of a substantial irregular sub-rectangular enclosure of unknown date is visible, amongst a pattern of rectilinear ditches, in the northern part of the site (at TG 1224 0712). Within this enclosure two possible substantial pits are visible, similar to those evident elsewhere across the site (even within the Bronze Age barrows, see NHER 15767). None looks particularly convincing as a Saxon sunken featured building, although given the size and shape of some of the pit-like marks this interpretation cannot be ruled out entirely. A proportion of the linear and rectilinear ditches visible conform to the modern field pattern and are likely to be of relatively late, probably post medieval date. Prehistoric flint flakes and Roman and possibly Bronze Age pottery have been recovered from areas to the south of the site (NHER 19976 and 17160).
The possible roundhouse is an unbroken circle in plan and measures approximately 7m in diameter. The second possible small ring ditch or D-shaped enclosure to its southeast, which is incomplete, measures approximately 9.5m by 7.5m. The plan of the larger enclosure to the north is uncertain, in part due to the difficulty of distinguishing between archaeological and geological features; it measures perhaps 70m long and 40m wide and appears to have an entrance on its southern side.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 20 June 2010.