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.
Details
The monument includes the remains of a settlement of Romano-British date,
situated on a near level site on gently sloping south east facing moorland in
the Stainmore Pass. The settlement is visible as a sub-rectangular enclosure
measuring 28m north to south by 15m east to west within stone walls on average
1m thick and on average 0.65m high. There is an entrance, 2m wide, in the
eastern corner of the south wall; this is flanked by two orthostats which rise
above the present height of the enclosure walls. Within the interior of the
enclosure there are very slight traces of a causeway leading from the entrance
towards the rear wall, and a hollow in the south east corner of the enclosure
is thought to be the site of a stone founded circular house. The northern part
of the enclosure has suffered from surface quarrying and the west wall is
overlain by quarry spoil.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
28598
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
