Roman period native settlement 400m WSW of Carey Burn Bridge

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 Roman period native settlement WSW of Carey Burn Bridge is reasonably well preserved and will contain significant archaeological deposits. It is situated within a general area of clustered archaeological sites of high quality and forms part of a wider archaeological landscape. As such it will contribute to the study of the wider settlement pattern at this time.

Details

The monument includes a Roman period native settlement located on the lower north east slopes of Snear Hill. The settlement is situated on gently sloping ground; the visible remains comprise a scooped enclosure with the remnants of two later steadings and a steading and enclosure abutting the east side. The settlement is roughly oval in plan and measures 32m east-west by 40m north-south overall. The enclosure is scooped to a maximum depth of 2m on the west side with the remaining sides enclosed by an earth and stone bank 5m wide and up to 1.5m high. Kerb stones are visible on the internal face of the bank. Within the enclosure are two later rectangular steadings, c.8m by 4m and c.4m square. Also, attached to the east side of the enclosure, is an oval sheep pen and steading which have been constructed from the original bank material.

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:

29305

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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