Barrow Burn unenclosed hut circle settlement, 300m north of Yearning 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 unenclosed hut circle settlement by Barrow Burn is very well preserved and retains significant archaeological deposits. It will add greatly to our knowledge and understanding of Bronze Age settlement and activity in the area.

Details

The monument includes the remains of an unenclosed hut circle settlement of later prehistoric date, situated either side of a steep sike on a sheltered north west facing slope. The settlement contains the remains of at least five stone circular round houses varying in diameter from 6m to 7.5m. The hut circles, which are of orthostatic construction, stand to an average height of 0.8m. All five of the houses have a clear doorway visible in their south east or western sides. The three most easterly hut circles represent the earliest phase of the settlement which it is thought expanded through time. There are traces of low walling attached to, and in the vicinity of, some of the hut circles. This walling is interpreted as the visible remains of small yards or paddocks associated with the settlement.

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:

28565

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Charlton, B, Fifty centuries of Peace and War, (1996), 23
Gates, A, Settlement in North Britain 1000BC - AD 1000 in Unenclosed Settlements in Northumberland, Vol. 118, (1983), 124

End of official list entry

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