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.
Details
The monument includes the remains of a stone built settlement of
Romano-British date, situated on a gentle east facing slope overlooking the
valley of the Linhope Burn. The settlement comprises eight irregular embanked
enclosures and the remains of at least 15 stone founded houses divided into
two separate complexes. The enclosure walls stand to between 1m-1.5m high and
are up to 5m wide. The most northerly complex is visible as three contiguous
enclosures or yards, the two most westerly ones are rectangular in shape, the
third is oval in shape and deeply scooped into the ground. Within the complex,
and fronting onto the yards, are the sites of up to 11 circular buildings
ranging in size from 3m to 7m in diameter. The southern complex is visible as
two contiguous enclosures, the most westerly one is rectangular in shape, and
the foundations of up to six circular houses ranging in size from 5m to 7m in
diameter are clearly visible. The circular buildings represent the houses
inhabited by Romano-British farmers and the enclosures are interpreted as
stock pens and yards.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
25019
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
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 Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
