NHER 45168 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmark of a ring ditch

October 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a ring ditch, probably the remains of a Bronze Age round barrow, are visible on aerial photographs on the parish border between Hopton on Sea and Belton with Browston (S1-S3). The site is centred on TG 5084 0112. This ring ditch is located within an area of complex and overlapping enclosures and field boundaries, dating from the late prehistoric to the Roman period. Other round barrows have been recorded within this area (NHER 17225, 45168-73). These are all located on the eastern side of plateau defined by the 15m contour. The round barrows are all positioned on or near to this contour, either on the plateau edge or valley side. A sinuous trackway runs through this barrow group (NHER 43544), a late prehistoric origin for this track has been suggested and it is possible that it is sited on the round barrows.

The ring ditch is 16m in diameter, with a relatively broad ditch. The ring ditch overlies or is overlain by a ditch that forms part of field system of probable post medieval date (NHER 45155). It seems most likely that the ring ditch is the earlier component. In 1996 (S2) the interior of the ring ditch has a dark colouring, giving it the appearance of an infilled pit, however in the 1976 (S1) and 2002 (S3) the site looks more convincing as a ring ditch.
S. Massey (NMP), 19 October 2006.