NHER 49176 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of a large circular enclosure

December 2006. Norfolk NMP
A cropmark of a large circular enclosure or ring ditch of possible Neolithic to Bronze Age date is visible on aerial photographs (S1-S6). This cropmark is centred on TG 2918 1997 and was previously recorded as part of NHER 11878. The enclosure is defined by a narrow ditch and is slightly sub-circular in plan with an external diameter of 78m. The cropmark is cut, almost directly in half, by a modern field boundary. Given the large diameter of this enclosure, it is unlikely that it relates to a barrow. It appears to belong to a group of poorly understood circular enclosures or ring ditches that have large diameters and are defined by narrow ditches. It is believed that these enclosures are of Neolithic to Bronze Age date and that they may have had a ceremonial or funerary purpose (S7). Other examples have been recorded at Somerton (NHER 43425) and Broome (NHER 11588). Two double ring ditches (NHER 11878) are located just to the southeast of this enclosure and all three monuments form a northwest to southeast alignment.
J. Albone (NMP), 07 December 2006.