NHER 38672 (Monument record) - Earthworks of extraction pits of unknown date

June 2004, Norfolk NMP.
The pits and banks of a probable extraction site are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs (S1-2), centred at TG 2178 3851. Like NHER 38670 to the east, its morphology gives the appearance of following a mineral seam, rather than the wholesale extraction of clay, sand or chalk. The glacial deposits of north-east Norfolk are known to contain ironstone pebbles (S3, p.187), and iron extraction and smelting pits have been identified in the area (NHER 6351 and 6353 for example). A sub-circular ring ditch (NHER 38671), which lies immediately to the west of the pits described here and has tentatively been identified as a ring barrow, might alternatively have also been associated with iron working. Conversely, both sites might have been part of the military training area which extended over this part of the heath by the end of World War Two (NHER 38621). In each case, however, the earthworks have the appearance of being older than the military features which surround them.

In total, the elongated pitted area measures approximately 60m long and 17m wide. A number of what appear to be deeper, circular pits, which have not been mapped but measure approximately 4m in diameter, are visible within the larger areas of shallower excavation. A bank, presumably of spoil, is visible along the east side of the pits.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 30 June 2004.