Record Details

NHER Number:39018
Type of record:Monument
Name:Cropmarks of possible Bronze Age or Iron Age/Roman ring ditch

Summary

A possible ring ditch is visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs. It could be the remains of a Bronze Age barrow or an Iron Age/Roman roundhouse, although it may be a geological feature.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:TG 2779 3613
Map Sheet:TG23NE
Parish:GIMINGHAM, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Full description

December 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A possible ring ditch is visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs ((S1) and (S2)), centred at TG 2779 3613. It was noted by A. Lawson (NAU) in 1976 (S3; NMR TG 23 NE 14), citing the wrong photographic codes. Although it could be a genuine ring ditch, its appearance, particularly on aerial photographs taken in 1988 (S4), suggests that it is more likely to be a product of the underlying geology of the area. If it is of archaeological origin, it seems most likely to be part of a Bronze Age round barrow, in which case a possible internal pit located towards its west side (not mapped) could be a grave or burial pit. At the same time, however, the ring ditch is surrounded by the extensive cropmarks of a field system of probable Iron Age to Roman date, and there is also a possibility that it is a round house.
Other ring ditches, also possible Bronze Age round barrows, have been identified in the surrounding area (for example, NHER 36490 and 39012).
The ring ditch is only partially visible and is a rather irregular circle in plan. It measures up to 30m in diameter.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 3 December 2004.

Monument Types

  • GEOLOGICAL MARKS? (Unknown date)
  • RING DITCH? (Unknown date)
  • RING DITCH? (Early Bronze Age to Roman - 2350 BC to 409 AD)
  • ROUND BARROW? (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • ROUND HOUSE (DOMESTIC)? (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)

Associated Finds - none

Protected Status

  • SHINE
  • SHINE

Sources and further reading

<S1>Oblique Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1976. NHER TG 2736A-B (NLA 28/AFH5-6) 01-JUL-1976.
<S2>Oblique Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1990. NHER TG 2736C (NLA 267/GBP9) 28-JUN-1990.
<S3>Monograph: Lawson, A. J., Martin, E., Priddy, D. and Taylor, A. 1981. The Barrows of East Anglia. East Anglian Archaeology. No 12. Gazetteer.
<S4>Vertical Aerial Photograph: BKS. 1988. BKS 2374-5 03-SEP-1988 (NCC 4568-9).

Related records - none

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