Cropmarks of Bronze Age ring ditches and undated linear features, west of Middleton Hall (EHER 8535)

Cropmarks of at least four Bronze Age ring ditches and numerous undated linear features are visible on aerial photographs immediately west of the River Stour.

Cropmarks: three ring ditches, two visible on CUCAP aerial photos <2> <3> <4> <5> and Farrands aerial photos <8> at TL 8780 4023 and TL 8785 4030; and a further ring ditch is visible on McMaster's aerial photo <7> at TL 8810 4031. <1> Aerial photographs: <2> - <16> Numerous linear features running approximately east-west across the site are recorded on the NMP transcription <17>, along with a single perpendicular linear feature running approximately north-south. These may be field boundaries, though only one such boundary, on a slightly different alignment, is present on the first edition Ordnance Survey maps of this area. A pair of parallel features have been interpreted as the remains of a possible undated trackway. Other cropmarks include two large areas of unknown origin, described as maculae. Information from <17>. Information from NRHE data import: The NRHE included five separate records for cropmark features in this area. It is thought that all of these features equate to cropmarks within this area, though there may be some duplication. Details from the NRHE are as follows: NRHE 382160 at TL 882 401: Faint ring ditch and small enclosures in Middleton parish. Information from <18>. NRHE 382133 at TL 875 405: Cropmarks of two ring ditches seen at Sudbury. Visible on RAF air photographs. <19> Information from <20>. December 1979. Field visit. The cropmarks are sited on a slight north-east facing slope slightly above the 30m contour, under winter crop. No evidence of the features can be seen and enquiries among farm-workers at Middleton Hall provided no further information. <21> Nothing visible on OS air photographs <22>. NRHE 1339793 at TL 881 403: A ring ditch visible as a cropmark on air photographs, very close to the course of the River Stour. <23> NRHE 1339796 at TL 8775 4035: A ring ditch visible as a cropmark on air photographs (grid reference is approximate). See <23> - <30> NRHE 1339800 at TL 8767 4018: A ring ditch is visible as a cropmark on air photographs. A causeway appears to exist on the northwest, and a less certain causeway may exist on the opposite southeast side. Several linear features, presumably field boundaries, are also visible in the vicinity. There is a suggestion that a cursus exists here. However, on the photographs consulted, nothing convincingly cursus-like can be seen. The grid reference quoted is approximate. See <23> - <30>