NHER 52303 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Site of probable Neolithic or Bronze Age barrow, part of cemetery NHER 52302

June 2010. Norfolk NMP.
The site described below was previously recorded as part of NHER 12776.
A ring ditch is visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs (S1)-(S6), centred at TG 2377 0583. It almost certainly marks the site of a Neolithic or Bronze Age barrow, its rather oval plan – accentuated by the inner concentric ditch – suggesting it might represent a Neolithic oval barrow rather than a round barrow. Together with two further ring ditches to its east, it forms part of a linear barrow cemetery (NHER 52302), itself part of the complex funerary/ceremonial landscape surrounding Arminghall Henge (NHER 6100) 215m to its northeast. Notably, this ring ditch lies on the direct line that can be drawn between Arminghall Henge and a second henge-like monument at Markshall 660m to the southwest (NHER 9582).
The ring ditch measures 21m long and 19m wide; it is not clear whether an apparent gap at its eastern end is genuine or merely due to the cropmark being masked. The inner ditch measures 17m long and 12.5m wide. A possible elongated pit (marking a burial or grave?) occupies an off-centre position within the inner ditch.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 24 June 2010.