Defended settlement, 750m east of Titlington Hall Farm

Overview

Location

Reasons for Designation

During the later prehistoric period (7th - 5th centuries BC) a variety of different types of defensive settlements were constructed and occupied in the northern uplands of England. The most obvious sites were hillforts built in prominent locations. In addition to these a range of smaller sites, sometimes with an enclosed area of less than 1ha and defined as defended settlements, were also constructed. Some of these were located on hilltops, others are found in less prominent positions. The enclosing defences were of earthen construction, some sites having a single bank and ditch (univallate), others having more than one (multivallate). At some sites these earthen ramparts represent a second phase of defence, the first having been a timber fence or palisade. Within the enclosure a number of stone or timber-built round houses were occupied by the inhabitants. Stock may also have been kept in these houses, especially during the cold winter months, or in enclosed yards outside them. The communities occupying these sites were probably single family groups, the defended settlements being used as farmsteads. Defended settlements are a rare monument type. They were an important element of the later prehistoric settlement pattern of the northern uplands and are important for any study of the developing use of fortified settlements during this period. All well-preserved examples are believed to be of national importance.

The site east of Titlington Hall survives well and is a good example of a slightly defended Iron Age enclosure re-used in the Romano-British period. It is one of a number of similar contemporary monuments in the area and will contribute to study of later prehistoric settlement patterns in this area.

Details

The monument includes a univallate defended settlement of Iron Age date situated on the flat shoulder of a hill overlooked by higher ground to the east. The settlement, circular in shape, measures 45m in diameter within a slight rampart of earth and stone measuring 5m across and varying in height from 0.3m to 1.2m. Beyond the rampart on the southern side of the enclosure there is a ditch 6m wide and 0.6m deep. It is uncertain whether the ditch originally continued around all sides of the enclosure. The entrance lies in the centre of the eastern side but is no longer visible above ground. Within the enclosure there are the stone foundations of at least one circular house 8m in diameter and traces of a possible second house 5m in diameter; these houses are consistent with Romano-British re-use of the Iron Age enclosure.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

21013

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Hodgson, J C, 'Archaeologia Aelana 3 ser 21' in Archaeologia Aelana 3 ser 21, (1924)
Jobey, G, 'Archaeologia Aeliana' in Hill Forts and Settlements in Northumberland, (1965), 63
Other
NU 11 NW 14,

Legal

This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.