Probable prehistoric ring ditch, enclosures and trackway at New Moor Farm, Tillingham Road (EHER 81085)

A geophysical survey in 2022 detected the weak signal of a possible Bronze Age ring ditch which may be associated with ring ditches to the South at EHER 45904. The feature is situated to the immediate NW of a probable prehistoric three-sided square enclosure, which is connected to an E-W linear arrangement of abutting, probably prehistoric, enclosures via a probable N-S double ditched trackway. The features were investigated by a trial trenching in 2022 and the results are recorded in their own records, and are linked to this record.

December 2022. Geophysical survey. Geophysical survey detected a weak annular anomaly with an average diameter of about 12m and which corresponds to a previously identified cropmark feature in 'Area 1'. The surveyors note that 'because of [its] location in the vicinity of a Bronze Age Barrow cemetery [see EHER 12104], [this anomaly has] been interpreted as a probable Bronze Age ring ditch. However, due to the multiphase character of the survey area other interpretations, such as Iron Age enclosures are also probable.' The ring ditch is situated to the immediate NW of the rectilinear anomaly of a square enclosure formed of three straight sides, and is considered alongside ring ditches in 'Area 2' (EHER 45904). Also in this area to the South, a series of rectilinear anomalies was identified on an E-W alignment, which appear to form a series of abutting enclosures with internal N-S divisions. Apart from a few linear cropmarks within these enclosures, none of the other enclosures themselves have been previously identified by the cropmark data. The enclosures are on the same coaxial alignment as the three-sided enclosure described above, and are linked via two, further, N-S linear anomalies. These are probably a pair of parallel ditches and could be interpreted as forming a trackway. Across the surveyed area, several other probable linear, curvilinear and rectilinear anomalies were identified that may represent further archaeological features. These have a weak magnetic signal, and broadly correspond to cropmarks visible on satellite images of the area. Due to the rich archaeological landscape within and surrounding the survey area, it is considered likely that these are of anthropogenic and archaeological origin, possibly representing components of enclosures or field systems of undetermined age. <1>