Unenclosed settlement 220m south west of Manor House

Reasons for Designation

Unenclosed hut circle settlements were the dwelling places of prehistoric farmers. The hut circles take a variety of forms. Some are stone based and are visible as low walls or banks enclosing a circular floor area. Others were timber constructions and only the shallow groove in which the timber uprights used in the wall construction stood can now be identified; this may survive as a slight earthwork feature or may be visible on aerial photographs. Some can only be identified by the artificial earthwork platforms created as level stances for the houses. The number of houses in a settlement varies between one and twelve. In areas where they were constructed on hillslopes the platforms on which the houses stood are commonly arrayed in tiers along the contour of the slope. Several settlements have been shown to be associated with organised field plots, the fields being defined by low stony banks or indicated by groups of clearance cairns. Many unenclosed settlements have been shown to date to the Bronze Age but it is also clear that they were still being constructed and used in the Early Iron Age. They provide an important contrast to the various types of enclosed and defended settlements which were also being constructed and used around the same time. Their longevity of use and their relationship with other monument types provides important information on the diversity of social organisation and farming practices amongst prehistoric communities.

The unenclosed settlement south west of Manor House is reasonably well preserved and retains significant archaeological remains. The importance of the monument is enhanced by the survival of a four poster stone circle 300m to the south; taken together they will add to our knowledge and understanding of later prehistoric settlement and ritual activity.

Details

The monument includes the remains of an unenclosed settlement of Bronze Age date situated on the level top of a small knoll. The settlement is visible as a clearly defined hut circle 4.5m in diameter within a wall of stone 1.3m wide and 0.3m high. Immediately to the south west there are further traces of at least one circular house visible as a low, curving bank. Some 6m to the east of the first house there is an associated oval enclosure within a low stony wall 27m east to west by 24m north to south.

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:

25104

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Gates, A, Settlement in North Britain 1000BC - AD 1000 in Unenclosed Settlements in Northumberland, (1983), 103-148

Other
NY 87 NW 05,

End of official list entry

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