Romano-British settlement, 300m south east of Hosedon Linn

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 settlement 300m south east of Hosedon Linn is well preserved. It is one of a group of later prehistoric and Romano-British settlements in the area and will contribute to any study of the settlement pattern at this time.

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.

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:

25019

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Jobey, G, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4 ser 42 in Enclosed Stone Built Settlements in Northumberland, (1964), 63

Other
NT 90 NW 11,

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