NHER 45085 (Monument record) - Possible ring ditch of unknown date

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Summary

A possible ring ditch of unknown date and function is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs. Its archaeological origin is not entirely certain; it could instead be part of one of several palaeochannels visible in this field on the same aerial photographs. The site, however, lies within what is shown on the parish Enclosure Map of 1801 as a separate enclosure. This suggests that there was an observable feature or site here; a cattle refuge or mill site are two possibilities. It is not known whether the site still survives as an earthwork.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TG41NW
Civil Parish POTTER HEIGHAM, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

September 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A possible ring ditch is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs (S1) and (S2), centred at TG 4326 1963. Its date and function are unknown. It might have been dismissed as part of one or more natural palaeochannels, a number of which are visible in this field, but the fact that it lay centrally within what was a separate enclosure in 1801 (see Potter Heigham Enclosure Map (S3)) suggests that it is of archaeological significance. There is no evidence that it is a particularly early feature; a post medieval date would seem plausible. It could perhaps have surrounded a livestock refuge or a mill, for example. Whether the site still survives as an earthwork is not known.

The ring ditch is roughly circular in plan and measures 62m in diameter. Its northwest side is indistinguishable from an adjacent palaeochannel; the gap in its southern side is uncertain.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 27 September 2006.

  • <S1> Vertical Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1972. OS/72018 135-6 15-MAR-1972 (NMR).
  • <S2> Vertical Aerial Photograph: ADAS. 1995. ADAS 631 254-5 14-MAY-1995 (BA).
  • <S3> Map: 1801. Potter Heigham Enclosure Map.

Object Types (0)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Apr 16 2021 2:19PM

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