NHER 45227 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of a possible ring ditch on the site of Hickling Priory

October 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a possible ring ditch are visible on visible on aerial photographs (S1) within the precinct of Hickling Priory (NHER 8384). The site ditch is centred on TG 4198 2493. It is possible that this represents the remains of a Bronze Age round barrow. A prehistoric flint implement is the only pre-medieval find recovered from the site to date (NHER 8384), indicating the use of this knoll of slightly higher ground during this period. It is also possibly the remains of a structure or feature associated with the Priory itself. Another possible ring ditch is recorded within the Priory precinct (NHER 45226) and again the date and function of the feature is not known for certain.

The cropmarks of the ring ditch are very faint and only visible in 1990 (S1). It is possible that the presence of this ring ditch is an optical illusion created by a composite arrangement of the small geological cropmarks, which cover this area. The ring ditch is not clear on all aerial photographs from this run (S1). The diameter of this possible ring is 16.5m.
S. Massey (NMP), 31 October 2006.