NHER 49457 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Soilmarks of circular enclosure of unknown date

May 2007. Norfolk NMP.
The soilmarks of a possible circular enclosure of unknown date and origin are visible on aerial photographs within the grounds of Burlington Hall (S1). This site is possibly a post medieval tree ring, although it may be part of a circular enclosure of unknown date. The site is centred on TG 3692 1028.
The circular enclosure or ring ditch is 42m in diameter and only the northern half of the ring is visible. The date and origin of this cropmark is not certain. It is of a similar size and positioning to a series of circular tree rings or circular copses that are part of the post medieval park landscape. One of these, NHER 35519, to the immediate east is visible on the same aerial photographs as a soilmark. Although the enclosure does not have the remains of a ploughed out bank, as clearly shown around NHER 35519. This more clearly defined tree ring is marked on historic maps, including those as late as the Ordnance Survey second edition maps (1902-7, 25 inch) (S2). So it may be that the less clear ring marks the position of a copse that was removed much earlier. No tree ring is marked at this point on the 1838 Burlington Tithe map (S3), so if one did exist at this location it must have been removed by the mid nineteenth century. Another possibility is that the site represents the remains of a large Bronze Age round barrow or a circular enclosure of unknown date. Finds of an Iron Age, Roman, Saxon and medieval date have been found within this area (NHER 21288, 23288, 23000, 23287 and 30080).
S. Massey (NMP), 23 May 2007.