Square Enclosure (Netherwitton)
NZ 14199110 Square enclosure? (1)
Centred NZ 14209111. Remains of a rectangular earthwork, situated, at approximate 590 feet above sea level, upon a gentle south-west pasture slope, overlooking lower ground to the north, west and south. The nearest present water supply is a well 250m to the south-east.
The earthwork has consisted of an earth and stone bank. There is an internal ditch along the south side which does not appear to have been continued along the other sides. A probably original entrance is in the south side towards the south-east corner. The only traces of internal occupation are the remains of what may be the stone foundations of a small hut circle near the north side. Modern tracks cross the site and have obliterated the north-east and south-west corners. An old coal working spoil heap has further obliterated part of the west side. (2)
This work has been so mutilated that its purpose and period of construction cannot be deduced. Rig and furrow ploughing is adjacent to the site but does not intrude. (3)
See aerial photograph. (4)
The remains are such that little can be inferred with any certainty. The 'hut site' can be discounted (it is no more than a small stony mound), and with it any aspect of habitation.
The enclosing feature, with the possible exception of the south side, appears to represent the turf covered foundations of a wall rather than a bank. The north side is continued as a slight field bank, which suggests that feature is of no great age, possibly a pre-enclosure field or paddock subsequently destroyed by coal workings. (5)
Centred NZ 14209111. Remains of a rectangular earthwork, situated, at approximate 590 feet above sea level, upon a gentle south-west pasture slope, overlooking lower ground to the north, west and south. The nearest present water supply is a well 250m to the south-east.
The earthwork has consisted of an earth and stone bank. There is an internal ditch along the south side which does not appear to have been continued along the other sides. A probably original entrance is in the south side towards the south-east corner. The only traces of internal occupation are the remains of what may be the stone foundations of a small hut circle near the north side. Modern tracks cross the site and have obliterated the north-east and south-west corners. An old coal working spoil heap has further obliterated part of the west side. (2)
This work has been so mutilated that its purpose and period of construction cannot be deduced. Rig and furrow ploughing is adjacent to the site but does not intrude. (3)
See aerial photograph. (4)
The remains are such that little can be inferred with any certainty. The 'hut site' can be discounted (it is no more than a small stony mound), and with it any aspect of habitation.
The enclosing feature, with the possible exception of the south side, appears to represent the turf covered foundations of a wall rather than a bank. The north side is continued as a slight field bank, which suggests that feature is of no great age, possibly a pre-enclosure field or paddock subsequently destroyed by coal workings. (5)
N11383
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; A S Phillips
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