Stone hut circles and linear boundary, 750m south-east of Low Cowden

Reasons for Designation

Stone hut circles and hut circle settlements were the dwelling places of prehistoric farmers. Most date from the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC). The stone- based round-houses consist of low walls or banks enclosing a circular floor area; the remains of the turf, thatch or heather roofs are not preserved. The huts may occur singly or in small or large groups and may lie in the open or be enclosed by a bank of earth or stone. Frequently traces of their associated field systems may be found immediately around them. These may be indicated by areas of clearance cairns and/or the remains of field walls and other enclosures. The longevity of use of hut circle settlements and their relationship with other monument types provides important information on the diversity of social organisation and farming practices amongst prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered worthy of protection.

The hut circles and associated linear boundary south-east of Low Cowden are well preserved and retain significant archaeological deposits. The adjacent marshy area retains conditions suitable for the preservation of environmental and artefactual information. The site is one of a group of settlements in this area and will contribute to study of the wider settlement pattern at this period.

Details

The monument includes a group of three hut circles of Prehistoric/Romano- British date and a linear boundary situated on an area of marshy ground between two tributaries of Gunnerton Burn. The three hut circles are visible as circular foundations scooped into a slope; the two most westerly of the three measure 6m in diameter; the third lies 20m east of them and measures 6.8m by 8.6m across. A larger scooped area, oval in shape, is situated between two of the circles and measures 14m by 10m across. The hut circles are bounded on the north and west by a marshy area and on the south and east by a linear boundary which comprises a ditch 3m to 5m wide and 0.3m deep, outside of which is an earth and stone bank varying between 3m and 5m wide and up to 0.3m high. Traces of a bank inside the ditch are visible. The boundary is sinuous and runs in a south-westerly direction for 85m before making a right-angled turn and running north-west for 50m. In this latter section of the boundary there is a gap in the bank 6m wide with a causeway across the ditch.

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:

20930

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
5438,

End of official list entry

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