NHER 54671 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Earthworks and soilmarks of circular mound

March 2012. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks and soilmarks of a circular mound and encircling ditch, possibly representing the remains of a medieval windmill, are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2) to the immediate south of a medieval moated site (NHER 9946). Alternative interpretations for the earthworks include a Bronze Age round barrow and a medieval to post medieval garden feature. The site is centred on TM 1367 9604.
The close proximity of the mound to the medieval moated site and the also the fact that it is sited directed to the north of the Ashwellthorpe and Talcolneston parish boundary, could suggest that it represents the remains of a medieval building platform. Given the appearance of the earthworks a windmill seems the most likely candidate. The broad penannular ditch visible is also fairly characteristic of this type of monument (S3). Although it is possible that it represent the remains of a post medieval garden feature that may have been associated with a later phase at the site, possibly suggested by the presence of post medieval finds in the moat (see NHER 9946 for details). However the circular shape of this mound, with the encircling ditch, could also suggest that this site represents the remains of Bronze Age round barrow. An enclosure of possible Bronze Age (or Iron Age to Roman) date has been recorded to the immediate west, see NHER 54670 for details, and a Bronze Age palstave (NHER 9930) has been found in the wider vicinity of the site.
The ‘circular’ mound is slightly sub-circular or oval in shape, measuring 28m by 25m and the penannular ditch is approximately 6m wide ditch, swelling to almost 10m at one terminal. The earthworks of this mound are hard to detect in 1988 (S4), which may suggest that the site has been substantially plough-levelled, although it is possible that some slight earthwork element remains.
S. Horlock (NMP), 05 March 2012.