NHER 52207 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of a ring ditch, probably a Bronze Age round barrow

This ring ditch was previously recorded under NHER 9836.

March 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a ring ditch, probably represent the remains of a Bronze Age round barrow, are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2) to the south of the Roman town of Venta Icenorum (NHER 9786). The ring ditch is centred on TG 2303 0305 and is 19.5m in diameter and appears to be cut by irregular boundary ditch of probable Roman or later date, see NHER 52211 for details. The size and location of this ring ditch would suggest that it represent the remains of a Bronze Age round barrow, located on the lowers slopes of the valley of the River Tas, see NHER 51966 for similarly located barrows approximately 1.5km to the north. An alternative interpretation would be that it represents the remains of a later prehistoric, potentially Bronze Age to Iron Age date roundhouse, although the ring ditch would be quite large for an eaves-drip gully, although it is feasible that the house could have been surrounded by a circular enclosure. Iron Age material has been recovered from the general vicinity of the site (NHER 29994) and Iron Age settlement pre-dating the Roman town has been suggested (S3). Recent excavations within the South Field, indicated that a large ring ditch, originally thought to be the remains of an Iron Age roundhouse, was in fact a periglacial feature (S4). Although a ditch or gully and a small number of pits were attributed to the Iron Age were recorded approximately 75m to the northwest of this ring ditch (S4).
S. Horlock (NMP), 23 March 2009.