NHER 52316 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of a group of square ditched enclosures

November 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a possible group of square ditched enclosures, thought to have had a funerary function and dating to the Iron Age or Roman period, are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S4) just to the east of the Harford Farm excavation area on the Southern Bypass (NHER 9794) (S2). The Harford Farm excavations recorded six square-ditched funerary enclosures arranged in a linear cemetery, see NHER 9794 and 52289 for a detailed discussion of these sites and other new possible examples recorded from aerial photographs within close vicinity of the excavated group. The site is centred on TG 2257 0428. In addition to the main cemetery group (NHER 52289) other possible examples of a square-ditched enclosures identified within this area has been recorded separately under NHER 52315.
These possible additional square-ditched enclosures are positioned in a linear alignment, as at NHER 9794/52289. All new possible examples range in size from 5.5m to 14m across. None of the enclosures forms a complete square, but are suggested by an L-shaped ditch sections of equal proportions. The northernmost enclosure appears to abut up to one of the ditches of NHER 52278, which is thought to be mid to Late Iron Age in date. This relationship is reminiscent of the enclosures excavated to the west, see NHER 9794 and 52289 (S5). The southernmost enclosure could also abut the trackway to the south (NHER 52293). This trackway was interpreted as being medieval or later in date during the excavations (S5), it is more likely that it is overlain by it, although the parallel nature of this section of the trackway to the boundaries of NHER 52278 is of potential significance.
S. Horlock (NMP), 23 November 2009.