NHER 9583 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Site of D-shaped enclosure of probable Neolithic to Bronze Age date

Markshall sites discovered by air photography

1929.
In northeast corner of parish.
Aerial photograph 1878 9 18 VI 29. D shaped earthwork. Also double ring ditch (see NHER 9582).
R. R. Clarke (NCM).

December 1952. Scheduled.
This was one of three areas in Markshall parish which received Scheduled Monument Protection.
Scheduled as County Number 245 and known as "Sites discovered by air photography at Markshall", the areas were labelled A-C.
This was area A, centered TG 233 054. It was described as a circular cropmark (NHER 9582) and a 'D' shaped cropmark (this site).
Information from Ancient Monuments Form.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 26 November 2024.

NAU aerial photographs of various dates from 1 August 1973 to 12 July 1978 and 17 August 1981: From TG2305A - AW (inclusive of frames of other sites in some instances). Cropmark of a 'D' shaped enclosure (adjacent to ring ditch (NHER 9582)) with traces of two parallel lines (trackway?) crossing the enclosure from southwest to northeast (along the axis of the feature) and in alignment with the central ring of the adjacent double concentric ring ditch.
D. A. Edwards (NAU), 29th January 1980.

27 July 1995. NLA air photography (S1).
Cropmark visible.
H. Clare (NLA), 20 April 2001.

14 June 1996. NLA air photography (S2).
D shaped enclosure still producing cropmark response.
S. Massey (NLA), 8 August 2001.

25 June 1996. NLA air photography (S3).
Cropmarks visible.
H. Clare (NLA), 23 August 2001.

2 July 1996. NLA air photography (S4).
D shaped enclosure and trackway still showing as cropmarks.
S. Massey (NLA), 23 July 2001.

April 2010. Norfolk NMP.
The D-shaped enclosure described above is visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs (S4)-(S22). The parallel ditches or internal trackway are now recorded as part of NHER 53475. NMP mapping has altered the central grid reference of the site from TG 2321 0532 to TG 2322 0533, although the topography of the area may have had a detrimental effect on the accuracy of the mapping.
The enclosure is as yet unparalleled, both in terms of its morphology and its apparent relationship with the probable henge or henge-like monument to its immediate northeast (NHER 9582). Unfortunately this apparent association is confused by the proliferation of ditches (NHER 53475) both overlying and surrounding the sites. These include the apparent trackway (the ‘parallel lines’) mentioned above, which of all the features seem the most likely to form part of the enclosure itself. Others, however, such as the ditch parallel to the inside of the eastern side or ‘façade’ of the enclosure and to which the trackway is joined, while seeming to respect the enclosure also appears to relate to other ditches in the surrounding area which seem to represent later phases of activity. Due to this confusion, the nature of the relationship between the enclosure and henge is difficult to gauge, and the date and function of the enclosure remains uncertain. However, the apparent juxtaposition of the two monuments suggests a shared Neolithic to Bronze Age date, and a ceremonial and/or funerary function for the enclosure. Although of a different shape and greater width, the length of the enclosure is within the range for Neolithic long barrows and elongated enclosures recorded in Lincolnshire (S23) and Norfolk’s coastal zone (S24).
The enclosure is an elongated D-shape in plan, measuring 57.5m long and up to 48m wide (across its ‘façade’). Opposed entrances or gaps in the ditch circuit are evident towards the western end of its two long sides.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 15 April 2010.

See (S25) for additional aerial photographs.
H. Hamilton (HES), 22 August 2013.

Before April 2019. Scheduling Amendment.
The scheduled area associated with this site appears to have been amended. It has been shifted approximately 20m to the south and has been expanded approximately 25m to the west.
H. Hamilton (HES), 26 November 2024.