Romano British settlement, 655m north east of Lanton Hill Monument

Reasons for Designation

In Cumbria and Northumberland several distinctive types of native settlements dating to the Roman period have been identified. The majority were small, non- defensive, enclosed homesteads or farms. In many areas they were of stone construction, although in the coastal lowlands timber-built variants were also common. In much of Northumberland, especially in the Cheviots, the enclosures were curvilinear in form. Further south a rectangular form was more common. Elsewhere, especially near the Scottish border, another type occurs where the settlement enclosure was `scooped' into the hillslope. Frequently the enclosures reveal a regularity and similarity of internal layout. The standard layout included one or more stone round-houses situated towards the rear of the enclosure, facing the single entranceway. In front of the houses were pathways and small enclosed yards. Homesteads normally had only one or two houses, but larger enclosures could contain as many as six. At some sites the settlement appears to have grown, often with houses spilling out of the main enclosure and clustered around it. At these sites up to 30 houses may be found. In the Cumbrian uplands the settlements were of less regimented form and unenclosed clusters of houses of broadly contemporary date are also known. These homesteads were being constructed and used by non-Roman natives throughout the period of the Roman occupation. Their origins lie in settlement forms developed before the arrival of the Romans. These homesteads are common throughout the uplands where they frequently survive as well-preserved earthworks. In lowland coastal areas they were also originally common, although there they can frequently only be located through aerial photography. Despite having been subject to ploughing, the Roman-British settlement 655m north east of Lanton Hill Monument retains significant archaeological deposits. Analysis of aerial photographs has revealed the presence of below ground features, such as ditches and the remains of round houses, which will contain archaeological deposits relating to their construction, use and abandonment. It also forms part of a wider group of prehistoric monuments which taken together will contribute to our knowledge and understanding of settlement, subsistence and society in the region.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a Romano-British settlement situated on the north east slopes of Lanton Hill. The enclosure, which is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs , is trapezoidal in shape and covers an area of roughly 0.4ha. It is surrounded by a single ditch that is wider on the north and west sides, suggesting that it has been re-dug along these sections. On the east side of the settlement there is a single off-centred entrance. Analysis of aerial photographs has also revealed traces of a palisade along the line of the ditch which is interpreted as evidence of an earlier phase of settlement. Aerial photographs have also revealed the remains of at least two timber-built round houses within the interior of the enclosure.

SOURCES PastScape Monument No:- 3925 NMR:- NT93SW31 Northumberland HER:- 2028

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

ND 534

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

End of official list entry

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