Ancient settlement Hunterheugh Crags

Summary

Settlement enclosures and carved rock, 722m south west of cairn.

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. All homestead sites which survive substantially intact will normally be identified as nationally important.

The monument is reasonably well-preserved and will contain archaeological deposits relating to its construction, use and abandonment. It provides insight into the character of settlement and subsistence during the Romano-British period.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 26 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 an enclosed settlement of Romano-British date, situated immediately south west of Hunterheugh Crags. The settlement includes a series of enclosures surrounded by tumbled walls surviving as earthworks with an average width of 3m. The enclosures include a stock enclosure measuring approximately 27m by 46m. The enclosures are associated with at least three hut circles with an average diameter of 8m. To the west of the settlement is a rock with a circular channel carved into it with a diameter of 0.75m.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

ND 425

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:- 7013

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