Roman period native farmstead north west of Long Crags, 600m south east of Langleeford

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 homestead north west of Long Crags, 600m south east of Langleeford, survives reasonably well. It is substantially intact and will contain significant archaeological deposits. It is situated within an area of clustered archaeological sites of high quality and thus forms part of a wider archaeological landscape. It will contribute to any study of the wider settlement and land use pattern during this period.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a Roman period native farmstead situated on a natural terrace below an outcrop of rock which forms part of Long Crags. The farmstead has extensive views to the north across the valley of the Harthope Burn and north east to the coastal plain and the North Sea beyond. The farmstead comprises an irregular enclosure with two internal hut circles and a scooped yard. In addition there is an external hut circle lying 4m to the south. The enclosure measures a maximum 67m east-west by 40m north-south and is defined by a fragmentary bank of earth and stone on the north, east and south sides which stands up to c.0.3m high; the west side is marked by a wall of outcropping rock. There is no apparent entrance. On the south side are two contiguous hut circles which abut the inner face of the enclosure bank; each has a north east facing entrance. A shallow scooped area, or courtyard, lies to the north west of the hut circles.

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:

29320

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
NT 92 SE 49,

End of official list entry

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