Prehistoric unenclosed hut circle and field plot at Lamb Crag

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 prehistoric unenclosed hut circle and field plot at Lamb Crag survive in reasonable condition and retain significant archaeological deposits. They lie in an area of clustered sites whose archaeological remains survive well on and around Brands Hill and form part of a wider archaeological landscape in the northern Cheviots. They will contribute to any study of settlement and land use during this period.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a prehistoric unenclosed settlement, which comprises one or two hut circles, within an embanked sub-rectangular field plot at Lamb Crag. It is located on gently sloping ground north east of Langlee Crags with extensive views to the north east. The monument was initially observed from the air and is clearly visible on aerial photographs. On the ground the field plot, approximately 50m by 60m, is traceable as a fragmentary bank 2m wide which survives up to 0.2m high externally on the south west side. The interior of the plot is terraced up to 0.5m deep into the hill slope on this side. The hut circle lies roughly in the centre of the plot and measures 8m in diameter. A curved fragment of bank to the south may represent a second hut circle.

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:

29333

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
NMR, SF 1734/53, 3/3/1980, Gates, T, NT9722B, AP Collection, Museum of Antiquities, Univ of Newcastle, (1980)
NMR, SF 1734/53, 3/3/1980, Gates, T, NT9722B, AP Collection, Museum of Antiquities, Univ of Newcastle, (1980)

End of official list entry

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