NHER 3053 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of three probable Bronze Age round barrows

1959. Aerial photographs by J. K. St Joseph (S1).
By Sparhamhole Plantation - show two ring ditches - possibly barrows.
R. R. Clarke (NCM).

January 1976.
Northern ring visible as sandy spread with 30m diameter in ploughed field - no trace of others.
A. J. Lawson (NAU), 7 January 1976.

30 July 1977. NAU aerial photography.
R. R. Clarke's (NCM) drawing on (S2) is of two ring ditches with half a circle between them.
NAU aerial photograph confirms the northern ring ditch, but the southern one is doubtful, more like a natural feature or old pit, and the half circle seems certainly natural.
E. Rose (NAU), 22 May 1981.

June 1989. NAU aerial photography.
However further NAU air photography reveals a much smaller ring ditch to the north of the one previously visible; this is perhaps Clarke's northernmost feature, and his half circle is the larger and now complete circle - so only the southern one not visible.
E. Rose (NLA), 5 July 1993.

The central grid reference for this site has been altered from TG 0520 1863 to TG 0526 1866.

October 2007. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks and soilmarks of three Bronze Age round barrows are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Sparhamhole Plantation, Bylaugh (S3-S5). The site is centred on TG 0526 1866. The cropmarks, soilmarks and possible earthworks of other Bronze Age round barrows have been recorded in close vicinity to the site, forming a small Bronze Age round barrow cemetery (NHER 50639). The barrow cemetery is located on the valley side overlooking the River Wensum. These three barrows are located on the middle to lower slopes of the valley. Other undated linear cropmarks recorded within this area are now recorded under NHER 50640.

The clearest barrow is the central example at TG 0523 1870, visible as a circular soilmark, 18m in diameter, in 1946 (S3). In 1959 and 1989 a central pit and broad outer ditch, 27.5m in diameter, are visible (S4-S5). The southernmost barrow of the group, TG 0530 1858, is visible as a small, 10m diameter, circular parchmark, surrounded by a narrow ring ditch (S4). The northernmost part of the group is a small, 10.5m diameter, ring ditch at TG 0522 1875 (S4-S5). No sign of a former mound was detected on the aerial photographs, although it is likely that this ring ditch also represents a former barrow.
S. Massey (NMP), 22 October 2007.