NHER 54670 (Monument record) - Soilmarks of an enclosure of possible Bronze Age or Iron Age to Roman date

March 2012. Norfolk NMP.
The soilmarks of a large rectangular enclosure of possible Bronze Age or Iron Age to Roman date are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2) located on the Ashwellthorpe and Talcolneston parish boundary. The site is centred on TM 1350 9605. The enclosure sits at odds with the medieval and post medieval landscape, being bisected by the Ashwellthorpe and Talcolneston parish boundary and post medieval field boundaries. The enclosure is also located in close proximity to a previously substantial medieval moated site (NHER 9946) but exhibits no obvious relationship. All of these factors combined with the morphology of the enclosure itself, would suggest that it is likely to be Roman or earlier in date. Finds within the area include prehistoric pot boilers, late prehistoric and Roman date pottery (NHER 32307 & 51241) and a Bronze Age palstave (NHER 9930). The morphology of the enclosure could easily suggest an Iron Age to Roman date, however an increasing number of rectangular enclosures within Norfolk are being recognised as being Bronze Age in date, such as at Ormeseby (NHER 30626).
The recording of a circular mound surrounded by a ditch on the aerial photographs to the immediate east of this site, see NHER 54671 for details, could suggest the presence of a Bronze Age round barrow. Although it is felt more likely that the earthwork mound relates to the medieval site to the immediate north (NHER 9946), perhaps representing a windmill or possibly a later garden feature.
The enclosure, which measures 95m by 83m, is defined by a broad ditch and has traces of an internal bank and appears to have an entrance to the northeast. The ditches give the appearance of continuing past the bounds of the enclosure to the south and the west, which may suggest that it was situated within a wider area of boundary ditches, although no convincing traces of these were identified on the aerial photographs. Additional possible cropmarks seen to the south of the site on (S3) were not included within the mapping as their archaeological origin was doubtful.
S. Horlock (NMP), 05 March 2012.