NHER 13357 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmark of probable Neolithic long barrow or elongated enclosure

Of the cropmarks described below, only the ‘ovoid enclosure’/possible long barrow still remains part of this record; the other cropmarks are now recorded separately as NHER 36400 (the ‘additional enclosure’) and NHER 53521 (the linear features).

Cropmark. NAU air photographs.
Cropmark of ovoid enclosure, slightly tapered towards the north, visible in cereal crop, also adjacent linear cropmark.
Possible interpretation as 'long barrow'.
See (S1) and (S2).
D. Edwards (NAU), 17 January 1980.

25 June 1996. NLA air photography.
Cropmarks visible although in places these are confusing to interpret due to geological noise masking them.
However, as well as the cropmarks previously recorded there does appear to be at least one additional enclosure and several linears showing as cropmarks.
H. Clare (NLA), 28 August 2001.

2 July 1996. NLA air photography.
Cropmarks of possible long barrow still visible.
S. Massey (NLA), 23 July 2001.

April 2010. Norfolk NMP.
Of the cropmarks described above, only the ‘ovoid enclosure’/possible long barrow still remains part of this record; the other cropmarks are now recorded separately as NHER 36400 (the ‘additional enclosure’) and NHER 53521 (the linear features).
The elongated oblong enclosure described above is visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs (S3)-(S5), centred at TG 1271 0846. Its dimensions and plan are comparable with Neolithic long barrows or funerary enclosures ('mortuary enclosures') recorded elsewhere in Norfolk and in the wider region (see (S6), for example). Enclosures and linear features to its north and overlapping it (NHER 36400 and 53521) are presumed to represent later phases of activity. It is interesting to note that while some of these – in particular, those forming part of a possible Iron Age to Roman enclosure complex - appear to respect the barrow or enclosure, others appear to slight it. These latter may be of more recent origin, established after the Neolithic site had already been levelled.
The enclosure is broadly oblong or subrectangular in plan, and measures 31m long and 17m wide. Variations are evident in the width of the defining ditch, giving a 'pitted' or 'beaded' appearance to the outline; this could perhaps indicate recutting and reworking of the outer ditch, and/or the incorporation of pits into the monument. Numerous pit-like marks are also visible in the wider area but these have generally been dismissed as being of probable geological origin.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 27 April 2010.