Prehistoric hut circle on Harehope Hill, 400m south east of Gleadscleugh

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

Heritage Category:: Scheduled Monument
List Entry Number:: 1017957
Date first listed:: 29-Apr-1998

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Scheduled Monument
List Entry Number:: 1017957
Date first listed:: 29-Apr-1998

Location

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Northumberland (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Akeld
National Park:: NORTHUMBERLAND
National Grid Reference:: NT 95503 28738

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 hut circle on Harehope Hill 400m south east of Gleadscleugh survives well. It is undisturbed and retains significant archaeological deposits relating to its construction and use. The hut circle is situated within an area of roughly contemporary well preserved archaeological sites and will contribute to the study of the settlement pattern during this period.

Details

This monument includes a prehistoric hut circle situated on the western slopes of Harehope Hill on a natural ledge near the crest of a steep north facing slope. The hut circle measures externally 10m north-south by 11m east-west and is defined by a roughly circular earth and rubble bank up to 0.5m high. The monument is partly levelled into the slope to create a level platform. There is an entrance in the north west side and a possible entrance in the east side. On the east side there is an annexe 6m wide, the south edge of which is retained by large boulders.

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:: 29342
Legacy System:: RSM

Sources

Other
NT 92 NE 77,

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.