Defended settlement, 400m west of Titlington Mount

Reasons for Designation

During the mid-prehistoric period (seventh to fifth centuries BC) a variety of different types of defensive settlements began to be 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. Construction and use of this type of site extended over several centuries, possibly through to the early Romano-British period (mid to late first century AD). 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.

Despite some damage from forestry ploughing, the defended settlement west of Titlington Mount is very well preserved and retains significant archaeological deposits. The importance of the monument is enhanced by the survival of other forms of later prehistoric settlement in the vicinity; it will contribute to any study of the wider settlement pattern at this time.

Details

The monument includes a defended settlement of Iron Age date situated part of the way down a sloping ridge and overlooked by higher ground to the west. The roughly pear shaped enclosure is 55m east-west by 80m north-south within a single earth and stone rampart 5m to 9m wide which stands to a maximum height of 3m. On the western side of the enclosure there is an additional outer line of defence; this consists of a bank situated 60m beyond the inner rampart which is 5m wide and up to 1.5m high. The construction of this extra rampart created an open space or annexe between it and the inner rampart. Outside this bank there is a slight ditch 3m wide and 0.5m deep. Within the main enclosure there are the remains of several hut circles and at least two others are reported to lie within the annexe on the west. Two breaks in the outer and inner rampart in the north-western quadrant of the monument are believed to represent the sites of entrances into the enclosure.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 5 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:

21015

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Jobey, G, Archaeologia Aeliana in Hill Forts and Settlements in Northumberland, (1965), 61

Other
70,

End of official list entry

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