NHER 49592 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Multi-period cropmarks

Some of these cropmarks were previously recorded under NHER 18336.

June 2007. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of an undated enclosure, ditches and field boundaries are visible on aerial photographs to the north of Holloway Road, Strumpshaw (S1-S6). The site is centred on TG 3106 0572. It seems likely that these cropmarks represent several phases of activity, some of which may be late prehistoric to Roman in date. Finds in this general area range from Roman, Saxon, medieval and post medieval in date (NHER 31655, 31997, 35077, 35079, 36820).

The main component of the site is a possible rectangular or rectilinear enclosure centred on TG 3103 0567, potentially measuring 40m by 45m, although the cropmarks are quite fragmentary. Possible internal subdivisions may be indicated by the presence of short ditch sections within the main enclosure. This enclosure appears either predate or postdate a pair of large circular enclosures or ring ditches (NHER 18336), interpreted as probable Bronze Age round barrows. Unless this enclosure represents some sort of Neolithic funerary enclosure, which is not particularly suggested by the plan of the site, it seems more likely that this enclosure postdates the two ring ditches. The date of the cropmarks is uncertain, although it is possible that it is Roman in date. It is not clear whether the large pit within the centre of the easternmost barrow is associated with the enclosure or the barrows, but it has been grouped with NHER 18336 due to its positioning within the centre of the enclosure.

Two other rectilinear enclosures may be suggested by the fragmentary cropmarks at TG 3109 0565 (S6) and TG 3123 0571 (S2), although neither of these sites are particularly convincing on the current evidence. The remainder of the site consists of linear ditches, probably representing former field boundaries of varying dates.
S. Massey (NMP), 28 June 2007.