NHER 51985 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of at least two ring ditches of uncertain date

March 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of two, possibly three, ring ditches are visible on aerial photographs (S1) within the area of a medieval settlement cropmarks (NHER 41984). The site is centred on TG 2349 0066. The date and function of these ring ditches is not known, interpretations include prehistoric or Saxon date barrows or the remains of circular structures dating to either the late prehistoric to Roman period, or Saxon to medieval in date.
Both ring ditches are penannular and approximately 5m in diameter. A third possible ring ditch to the immediate west of the two mapped was omitted from the mapping as it was much more irregular a cropmark. A similarly small ring ditch has also tentatively been identified on the aerial photographs approximately 75m to the northwest (NHER 51986). Whilst it is possible that they represent the remains of small Bronze Age round barrows (the position of the site on side of a valley overlooking a minor tributary of the River Tas would be characteristic of a round barrow setting), the small size would make it more likely that that they relate to the eavesdrip gullies of small circular structures of Iron Age to Roman date. Iron Age and Roman finds have been recovered from this general area (NHER 24332). Although a 5m diameter would make this small for even a roundhouse and may be indicative of small temporary or agricultural.
Another interpretation could be that this represents these ring ditches that surrounded Saxon inhumations, with a possible central barrows. Possible grubenhauser, indicated by sub-rectangular pits (NHER 52006) to the immediate south of the main medieval settlement, could indicate an Early to Middle Saxon date settlement that preceded the late Saxon to medieval settlement indicated by the finds assemblage and the cropmark evidence (NHER 9739, 51984). A Middle to Late Saxon strap end has been recovered from the general vicinity (NHER 24332). The earthworks of similarly small barrows have been recorded just over 1km to the east alongside the River Tas (NHER 49863, 51993-4) and these have also been tentatively interpreted as being of Saxon date. It is therefore possible that these small ring ditches represent the remains of a contemporary cemetery, however the extremely close proximity to the potential domestic structures, around 10-20m away, would be unusual, although other examples of closely located contemporary Middle Saxon settlement and cemeteries are known, such as Yarnton, Oxfordshire (S2). Alternatively the small ring ditches may relate to relatively temporary industrial or agricultural structures, such as stack stands, associated with the later settlement at this site (NHER 51984).
S. Horlock (NMP), 11 March 2009.