NHER 52138 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of a ring ditch of possible Bronze Age or Iron Age date, Harford Park and Ride

August 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a ring ditch, possibly relating to either a Bronze Age or Iron Age funerary enclosure or a domestic or agricultural structure was visible on aerial photographs (S1) within the Harford Park and Ride development excavation area (NHER 39268). The site is centred on TG 2169 0402. This possible ring ditch, which is oval and measures 9.5m by 8.5m, is of dubious archaeological origin and is located within an area of probable geological cropmarks. It must also be noted that no comparable archaeological feature was recorded at this location during the excavations. Despite these reservations this feature was included within the NMP mapping due to its apparent similarities with the excavated Early Iron Age ring gully (NHER 52142), which although smaller (7m by 6m), was also ovoid in shape. Similarly sized ring ditches encountered within the Harford Park and Ride excavations were interpreted as funerary monuments dating to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age or the Early Iron Age (NHER 39268) (S2-S3). The presence of a larger ring ditch on the cropmarks has additionally been interpreted as being the remains of a Bronze Age round barrow (NHER 52137). Also given the presence of an Iron Age field system in this area (NHER 52141) and an enclosure of uncertain prehistoric date (NHER 52140) the ring ditch could feasibly also represent the remains of a later prehistoric roundhouse or agricultural structure.
S. Horlock (NMP), 23 August 2009.