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 a Roman period native settlement consisting of two or
three house platforms with a large oval stock enclosure. The whole settlement
measures 54m by 18m and has a track running through the centre of it in an
east-west direction. The track respects the two original entrances into the
main enclosure. It is cut into a south facing slope which is strewn with
boulders and the remains of a circular feature 12m to the north which may be
an additional house foundation. The main enclosure walls are 2m wide and
consist of rough boulders. A possible entrance can be seen on the east side.
The main house foundation is circular and is located on the northern edge of
the main enclosure. It measures 6.5m in diameter internally with walls which
have spread over a 3m wide area. The walls survive to a maximum height of 1.5m
on the side which cuts into the slope and 0.5m high on the enclosure side. It
is abutted by a smaller circular house foundation, which measures only 3m
internally. Its small size suggests that it was not used for permanent human
occupation, but possibly storage. Its entrance faces into the main enclosure.
Another house foundation can be seen to the west of the main foundation. This
measures 6m by 2m internally with walls to a maximum height of 0.8m. A stone
platform faces into the enclosure.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
31715
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
