Norfolk Heritage Explorer

Location

Full description

13 April 1989.
Circular ditch 18m diameter, 0.30m deep with slight rise inside ditch, about 0.20m high, reported by informant. Under
hummocky grass near stream, never ploughed within knowledge. Two large oak trees (as marked on early Ordnance Survey map) removed during World War Two. Site used by searchlight territorials before but not during war. Too small for a tree ring and never in park land. Most likely a small saucer barrow.
J. J. Wymer (NAU), 11 May 1989.

March 2023. Aylsham and Brampton Aerial Investigation and Mapping (AIM) Project.
The earthworks of a ring ditch with an internal bank (see above) are seen on aerial photographs and visualised lidar data (S1-S4). It is possible that the feature may relate to the site of a medieval to post medieval windmill or wind pump. A possible break in the features eastern bank may relate to a causeway. The earthworks are clearly visible on the 1946 aerial photographs, recent aerial photographs (2009 and 2017) and the visualised lidar data. It has been previously suggested (see above) that feature may have been used by searchlight territorials before the Second World War. Although this is possible, no features relating to searchlights or infrastructure such as roads or tracks leading to the feature were seen on the 1940s aerial photographs. The form of the earthwork is also more similar to a medieval to post medieval mill site than a Second World War search light position. It has also been previously suggested that the feature may have related to a possible Bronze Age saucer barrow. Although this is possible, the earthworks appear to be more recent on the visualised lidar data suggesting a later, possibly medieval to post medieval, date. The earthworks are also similar to a further possible medieval to post medieval mill site recoded at Buxton with Lammas (NHER 36469) in the south of the project area.
J. Powell (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 30 March 2023.

Monument Types

• BANK (EARTHWORK) (Unknown date)
• MOUND (Unknown date)
• RING DITCH (Unknown date)
• SAUCER BARROW? (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
• BANK (EARTHWORK) (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD? to 1900 AD?)
• MOUND (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD? to 1900 AD?)
• RING DITCH (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD? to 1900 AD?)
• WIND PUMP? (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
• WINDMILL? (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds - none

Protected Status - none

Sources and further reading

Related records - none

Find out more...

• Parish Summary: Colby with Banningham (Parish Summary)