Enclosure 50m north east of Horncliff Slade on Hawksworth Moor

Reasons for Designation

Rombalds Moor is an eastern outlier of the main Pennine range lying between the valleys of the Wharfe and the Aire. The bulk of this area of 90 sq km of rough moorland lies over 200m above sea level. The moor is particularly rich in remains of prehistoric activity. The most numerous relics are the rock carvings which can be found on many of the boulders and outcrops scattered across the moor. Burial monuments, stone circles and a range of enclosed settlements are also known. Within the landscape of Rombalds Moor are many discrete plots of land enclosed by stone walls or banks of stone and earth, most of which date to the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC), although earlier and later examples may also exist. They were constructed as protected areas for settlement, stock penning, or crop growing. They may be subdivided into a series of smaller enclosures; those used for settlement may retain evidence of the round huts originally located within them. The size and form of enclosures vary considerably, depending on their particular function. Their variation in form, longevity and relationship to other monument classes provide important information on the diversity of social organisation and farming practices among prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of their period and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are worthy of protection.

This enclosure is well preserved and is important evidence of prehistoric activity on Rombalds Moor. The enclosure is unusual in having a ritual rather than settlement function. It will retain significant information on this use, including evidence of any burials placed within it.

Details

This monument includes an oval enclosure with walling which is partly orthostatic and partly roughly coursed. It is situated at the western side of Hawksworth Moor c.183m north east of Horncliff House, on the other side of Horncliffe Slade. The enclosure is 11m in length and 9.5m in width and has a central, sub-circular hollow 2.5m x 2.2m. This is roughly ringed with stone and is 0.4m deep. A possible wall line runs north from the central hollow to the external wall. The central hollow and its surrounding ring of stones are interpreted as the result of antiquarian excavations. This monument has previously been identified as a stone circle; this is no longer considered appropriate. It is similar in size, construction and shape to other small enclosures found in northern England. These are frequently found in association with burial mounds and are identified as ritual sites in which burials were placed.

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:

25290

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Bradford Archaeology Group Bulletin in Bradford Archaeology Group Bulletin, Vol. 2/1, (1956), 6
Lukis, Rev W C, Bradford Archaeology Group Bulletin in Bradford Archaeology Group Bulletin, Vol. 4/12, (1959), 63
Vyner, B E, Antiquity in The Territory Of Ritual..., Vol. 68, (1994), 35

Other
Title: OS card SW14 SW 21 Source Date: 1965 Author: Publisher: Surveyor:

End of official list entry

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