Hut circle 320m west of Threestoneburn House

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 320m west of Threestoneburn House is reasonably well-preserved and will provide evidence of daily life in the Bronze Age through the preservation of floor levels and domestic rubbish. It is part of a wider group of well-preserved unenclosed hut circle settlements which lie to the north west at Tathey Crags, Langlee Crags and Long Crags, and will thus add to any study of settlement of this period.

Details

The monument includes a hut circle of prehistoric date situated on the south bank of the Threestone Burn. Before modern afforestation, the position afforded extensive views in all directions. The hut circle is visible as a level circular enclosure 11m in diameter within foundations of a low stone wall 1m wide which stands to a maximum height of 0.7m. The surrounding wall is composed of stone and earth; large irregular boulders have been incorporated into the walls of the hut circle on the east and west sides. There is an entrance through the south wall of the hut circle which is visible as a gap 1m wide; a similar sized gap through the north wall is thought to be the result of more recent erosion. Attached to the south west side of the hut circle there is a curving length of wall 10m long which is thought to be the remains of a second, smaller hut circle with a diameter of about 5m across. This area is, therefore, included in the scheduling.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

34224

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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