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 a Roman period native settlement and surrounding
cultivation terraces situated at the foot of White Hill and north of a
plantation near Stawhouse.
The location has fine views to the south, but is overlooked to the north. An
earthwork oval enclosure surrounded by a single rampart encloses an area of
approximately 0.15ha which is divided by internal banks into four areas. The
northern two enclosures consist of two scooped enclosures and the southern
enclosures consist of two enclosed yards. The south west enclosed yard
measures 11.4m x 13.7m and encloses a later rectangular foundation within
it. The rectangular foundation is 8.8m x 7.3m. The scooped enclosures in the
northern half of the monument measure 14m in diameter and 15m in diameter. The
remaining south east enclosure measures 20m x 10m. An additional bank exists
to the south of the site and overlies one of the cultivation terraces
indicating that the cultivation terraces are earlier in date than the
settlement.
The cultivation terraces are south facing and are located on either side of
the settlement and to the north of it. The use of the terracing appears to
culminate with the building of the settlement. The terracing follows the
contours of the hill and each terrace varies in width from 3m to 5m and
stretches across an area 400m long.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
24571
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
