Settlement 500yds (460m) SW of White Law

Summary

Hut circles, enclosures and field system, 484m south west of White Law.

Reasons for Designation

Unenclosed hut circle settlements were the dwelling places of prehistoric farmers. The hut circles take a variety of forms. Some are stone based and are visible as low walls or banks enclosing a circular floor area. Others were timber constructions and only the shallow groove in which the timber uprights used in the wall construction stood can now be identified; this may survive as a slight earthwork feature or may be visible on aerial photographs. Some can only be identified by the artificial earthwork platforms created as level stances for the houses. The number of houses in a settlement varies between one and twelve. In areas where they were constructed on hillslopes the platforms on which the houses stood are commonly arrayed in tiers along the contour of the slope. Several settlements have been shown to be associated with organised field plots, the fields being defined by low stony banks or indicated by groups of clearance cairns. Many unenclosed settlements have been shown to date to the Bronze Age but it is also clear that they were still being constructed and used in the Early Iron Age. They provide an important contrast to the various types of enclosed and defended settlements which were also being constructed and used around the same time. Their longevity of use and their relationship with other monument types provides important information on the diversity of social organisation and farming practices amongst prehistoric communities.

The monument is reasonably well-preserved and partial excavation has indicated that it contains archaeological deposits relating to its construction, use and abandonment. The significance of the monument is increased by being within a landscape of clustered archaeological sites with Yeavering Bell to the north west and a number of Iron Age and Romano-British settlement remains in the surrounding area.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 31 May 2016. This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

The monument includes the remains of a series of Iron Age unenclosed hut circles, rectangular enclosures and the part of a field system, situated on the slopes of a knoll between White Law and Tom Tallon’s Crag. With the remains there are at least 13 hut circles, which vary in diameter from 2.4m to 7.6m. Partial excavation of some of the huts revealed occupation debris, part of a glass armlet and part of an iron spearhead. Towards the south east are the foundations of two rectangular buildings. Also present are a number of enclosures surrounded by earth and stone banks associated with two sheepfolds.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

ND 500

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:- 3033

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