More information : A circular stone foundation discovered 1960 in a field SW of Thormanby village at SE 493746. Excavation showed it to be 21 ft external diameter and 14 ft internal diameter, consisting of facing stones and a rubble core. Part of the circle had been destroyed by ploughing (see plan). Four sherds were found, one fragment in the wall pitching "not unlike Roman pottery". The farmer had dug the centre of the foundations finding only bones which were thought to be human. Md potsherds and a portion of Ro tegula were found in the field. The date and significance of the structure is uncertain. On the lower ground towards the south, a "moat" at least 5 ft deep was exposed by drainage operations. It had a dark peaty filling in which two or three oak posts were set upright. (1)
There are now no visible remains of this foundation. The site, which was pointed out by the farmer, is at SE 49327456 and lies in a field which is now under barley. Approximately 50m to the south, in a low lying area, are vague undulations but no definite traces of a moat. (2) |