East Knock Hill settlements amd medieval farmstead (Cheviotside)
('A' NT 99491694 and 'B' NT 99551687) Camp. (1)
East Knock Hill. Two enclosures of approximately 1/2 acres. (2)
Type H2 (Groups of hut circles or stock enclosures). (3)
Remains of two scooped enclosures are situated, at approx 800 ft above sea-level, upon steep moorland pasture and broken south-east slopes. The sites are overlooked by high ground to the north-west, and command the valley of the River Breamish to the east and south. The nearest present fresh water supply is a small stream to the south-east.
'A' The higher of the two enclosures is of irregular plan. It is bounded by a bank of earth and stone which increases in width on the downhill side. An entrance in the north-east end has a small hut circle raised upon the bank on the south side. There is a second entrance in the north-west side. Within the interior is a scooped area in the centre with the entrance on the east side. Either side of this is a hut circle; both are slightly scooped into the hillslope. There is the possible site of a third hut circle against the bank on the west side, and a fourth north of the entrance.
'B' The enclosure, D-shaped in plan, is bounded by a slight bank of earth and stone, and has an entrance in the north-east side, and is scooped into the hillside along the north-west side. Outside the north-east side, are the foundations and tumbled walls of a later steading, orientated north-west to south-east. It has an internal division near the south-east end. The original entrance cannot now be located. There are no traces of occupation within the enclosure. To the north-east, beyond the steading, is another scooped area. There are slight remains of a bank enclosing the area on the south side. The entrance is by a terrace leading into the east end.
Both enclosures have been sited above steep slopes, which fall away from their south-east sides.
'C' NT 99521697. Remains of a steading, orientated north-west and south-east, 27m long by 5m wide, 20m north-east of site 'A'. The tumbled walls are 2m wide, with a maximum height of 0.5m. A sheep pen has been built over the foundations at the north-west end for 12m of the length, out of the material of the steading. There are no architectural features whereby it can be dated. The original entrance is not now to be seen. (4)
Both listed under Romano-British enclosed stone built settlements. (5)
'B' A pronounced scooped enclosure, with a three-roomed house, clearly secondary, lying to one side. There has been some attempt at levelling to the east of the rectangular house though there is no indication of further enclosure walls. (6)
'A', and to a lesser degree 'B' are consistent with the local type of enclosed native homestead. Illustruation at 1:2500. The steading remains ('C') are part of the medieval and later cultivation of the area, and of minor importance. (7)
No change from report of 11/11/69. Surveyed at 1:10,000. (8)
NRHE has 3 records for HER record detailed below (9)
NRHE UID 1034374
The record NT 91 NE 31 comprised details of two enclosed settlements about 50 m apart at NT 9949 1694 (A) and NT 9955 1687 (B), which are now separated. Enclosure B retains the number NT 91 NE 31, and the following report refers to A only. This enclosed settlement, levelled into the moderately steep, rough pastured slopes on the SE flanks of Knock Hill at about 260 m OD, is overlooked by higher ground around the N and W but has excellent views to the S and E along the valley of the River Breamish. It is situated at the SW edge of a field system (NT 9916/36) and is only some 90 m NW of another smaller settlement (NT 9916/37), all of which may be contemporary. The settlement, roughly `D'-shaped on plan, is bounded by an earth and stone bank revetted intermittently with large facing boulders mainly around its outer wall face. The bank reaches a maximum height of 1.7 m along the straighter SE side, where the outer scarp is some 3.5 m wide with a minimal inner scarp only 0.4 m high and 1 m wide, but generally it is about 0.8 m high and 2.5 m wide. Around the curving NW uphill side it is less predominant. There is a large well-defined entrance about 2.7 m wide in the E, and a break in the bank in the NW may well be another. The settlement has been sub-divided into two compartments, the upper and larger occupying the greater area of the interior to the W. Near the centre of this area is a large well-defined hut-circle visible as a platform levelled into the slope and about 10m in diameter internally. It has a predominant back scarp around the N and W which merges into a turf- covered stony bank, 0.5 m high and up to 4 m wide, around the periphery in the S. Its entrance is in the E. To the immediate W of this hut are two smaller less well-defined contiguous hut-circles built up against the surrounding enclosure wall. They are both about 5 m in internal diameter, the southernmost having an occasional inner facing stone visible of a wall 1 m to 1.8 m wide and 0.3 m high, whilst the other northernmost hut is defined mainly by an outer scarp 0.4 m high. Ill-defined entrances are evident in the SE and E respectively. To the SW of this larger compartment are two rather indistinct adjacent platforms, both about 9 m in diameter, edged around their E sides by crescentic scarps 0.4 m to 0.7 m high and averaging 2 m in width and bounded around the SW by the enclosure wall. These may have been stances for a further two huts. To the immediate NE of the larger hut-circle is another similarly constructed but much smaller hut, 4 m in internal diameter inside an inner facing scarp 1m in maximum height and up to 2 m wide, which reduces to minimal at the entrance in the SE where it encroaches onto the scarp of the eastern compartment. This lower smaller compartment contains one good hut- circle. Some 5 m in diameter internally, it is visible as a scarp set well into the enclosure wall around the E with its southern periphery forming the N side of the settlement entrance. There has also probably been another hut on the S side of the entrance details of which are not clear (see NT 9916/40 for separate report). (9a)
NRHE UID 1034376
NT 9952 1697. This site was formerly incorporated within NT 91 NE 31, but has now been separated. It consists of the foundations of a structure measuring about 19.2 m NW-SE by 5 m transversely between the centres of a turf-covered stone wall. This varies in height being barely visible at the NW end and increasing to a maximum of about 0.6 m at the SE end and some 1.8 m in maximum width. No sub- divisions are evident but there is a central entrance 1.3 m wide at the SW end flanked on either side by a curving crescentic wall. The N end is overlaid by a fairly modern upstanding sheep pen 13.4 m NW- SE by 4 m transversely, with a small corrugated iron roof at its SE end. Its NW end is open but has an inside scarp.
There is insufficient evidence now to confirm this as a steading (ie. Longhouse) as suggested by the OS, and it may be no more than an old sheep pen re-used and rebuilt at its NW end. The flanking curved walls at the SW end being to funnel sheep between the narrower long walls. (9b)
NRHE UID 1033855
The present record NT 91 NE 31 combines two enclosed settlements, about 50 m apart, which the Ordnance Survey field investigators lettered 'A' (NT 9949 1694) and 'B' (NT 9955 1687). This record is now split into two component parts. What follows pertains to enclosure 'B'; for details of 'A' see NT 9916/39. The remains of this small near-circular settlement has been levelled into a rough pasture hill- lope at 230 m OD. The site is overlooked by gently rising ground around the NW whilst the slopes on the SE drop quite steeply down to the River Breamish some 250 m away. The predominant feature of the settlement is a massive back scarp, some 2 m high and 8.5 m wide scooped out of the NW uphill side. This scarp merges into a turf-covered rubble bank, 0.6 m high and 3 m wide, around the W side of the settlement. The same situation probably occurred around the E side, but this has been overlain and obscured by a later rectangular building (see NT 9916/38), probably constructed from material robbed from the settlement. The bank continued around the front of the settlement where it is now mainly evident as a stony scarp along the crest of the steep natural slopes. Allowing for the rectangular stone building, which must have destroyed the entrance, the internal size of the settlement is about 24 m NE-SW by 16 m transversely. No contemporary buildings or traces of occupation are evident internally. Outside the immediate NE end of the settlement a further scooping of the slope has formed a small `extension' some 18 m in diameter and marked by stony scarps around the N and SE perimeters. A gap in the E probably marks the original point of access to the settlement. A lynchet runs off from the NE side of this `extension' to what may be a contemporary field system to the N and E (see NT 9916/36). At the SW end of the settlement what appears to be a similar, but less well-defined extension as that on the NE side measures about 17 m E/W by 8 m transversely, but there is no trace of a connecting passage and it is most likely a small field. (9b)
NRHE UID 1034373
NT 9956 1688. Set on the terraced platform of the settlement (NT 91 NE 31), and overlying its NE perimeter, are the remains of a rectangular stone walled building about 13 m NW-SE by 3 m internally. The turf and bracken-covered collapsed walls still stand to about 0.6 m high, and are spread from 1.7 m to 2.5 m wide. Its SE end overhangs the scarp of the settlement. It has been subdivided into three compartments, the middle and largest one 5.5 m by 3 m, probably having centrally opposed doorways.
The whole is definitely not contemporary with the settlement, but is probably constructed of stones robbed from it; it is almost certainly associated with similar structures [NT 9916/1-6, 9, 10, 29] and the ridge-and-furrow cultivation overlying the earlier field system [NT 9916/36].
This building together with two enclosed settlements, about 50 m apart, formerly comprised a single record (NT 91 NE 31); this record is now split into three separate components (NT 9916/37-9). (9b)
East Knock Hill. Two enclosures of approximately 1/2 acres. (2)
Type H2 (Groups of hut circles or stock enclosures). (3)
Remains of two scooped enclosures are situated, at approx 800 ft above sea-level, upon steep moorland pasture and broken south-east slopes. The sites are overlooked by high ground to the north-west, and command the valley of the River Breamish to the east and south. The nearest present fresh water supply is a small stream to the south-east.
'A' The higher of the two enclosures is of irregular plan. It is bounded by a bank of earth and stone which increases in width on the downhill side. An entrance in the north-east end has a small hut circle raised upon the bank on the south side. There is a second entrance in the north-west side. Within the interior is a scooped area in the centre with the entrance on the east side. Either side of this is a hut circle; both are slightly scooped into the hillslope. There is the possible site of a third hut circle against the bank on the west side, and a fourth north of the entrance.
'B' The enclosure, D-shaped in plan, is bounded by a slight bank of earth and stone, and has an entrance in the north-east side, and is scooped into the hillside along the north-west side. Outside the north-east side, are the foundations and tumbled walls of a later steading, orientated north-west to south-east. It has an internal division near the south-east end. The original entrance cannot now be located. There are no traces of occupation within the enclosure. To the north-east, beyond the steading, is another scooped area. There are slight remains of a bank enclosing the area on the south side. The entrance is by a terrace leading into the east end.
Both enclosures have been sited above steep slopes, which fall away from their south-east sides.
'C' NT 99521697. Remains of a steading, orientated north-west and south-east, 27m long by 5m wide, 20m north-east of site 'A'. The tumbled walls are 2m wide, with a maximum height of 0.5m. A sheep pen has been built over the foundations at the north-west end for 12m of the length, out of the material of the steading. There are no architectural features whereby it can be dated. The original entrance is not now to be seen. (4)
Both listed under Romano-British enclosed stone built settlements. (5)
'B' A pronounced scooped enclosure, with a three-roomed house, clearly secondary, lying to one side. There has been some attempt at levelling to the east of the rectangular house though there is no indication of further enclosure walls. (6)
'A', and to a lesser degree 'B' are consistent with the local type of enclosed native homestead. Illustruation at 1:2500. The steading remains ('C') are part of the medieval and later cultivation of the area, and of minor importance. (7)
No change from report of 11/11/69. Surveyed at 1:10,000. (8)
NRHE has 3 records for HER record detailed below (9)
NRHE UID 1034374
The record NT 91 NE 31 comprised details of two enclosed settlements about 50 m apart at NT 9949 1694 (A) and NT 9955 1687 (B), which are now separated. Enclosure B retains the number NT 91 NE 31, and the following report refers to A only. This enclosed settlement, levelled into the moderately steep, rough pastured slopes on the SE flanks of Knock Hill at about 260 m OD, is overlooked by higher ground around the N and W but has excellent views to the S and E along the valley of the River Breamish. It is situated at the SW edge of a field system (NT 9916/36) and is only some 90 m NW of another smaller settlement (NT 9916/37), all of which may be contemporary. The settlement, roughly `D'-shaped on plan, is bounded by an earth and stone bank revetted intermittently with large facing boulders mainly around its outer wall face. The bank reaches a maximum height of 1.7 m along the straighter SE side, where the outer scarp is some 3.5 m wide with a minimal inner scarp only 0.4 m high and 1 m wide, but generally it is about 0.8 m high and 2.5 m wide. Around the curving NW uphill side it is less predominant. There is a large well-defined entrance about 2.7 m wide in the E, and a break in the bank in the NW may well be another. The settlement has been sub-divided into two compartments, the upper and larger occupying the greater area of the interior to the W. Near the centre of this area is a large well-defined hut-circle visible as a platform levelled into the slope and about 10m in diameter internally. It has a predominant back scarp around the N and W which merges into a turf- covered stony bank, 0.5 m high and up to 4 m wide, around the periphery in the S. Its entrance is in the E. To the immediate W of this hut are two smaller less well-defined contiguous hut-circles built up against the surrounding enclosure wall. They are both about 5 m in internal diameter, the southernmost having an occasional inner facing stone visible of a wall 1 m to 1.8 m wide and 0.3 m high, whilst the other northernmost hut is defined mainly by an outer scarp 0.4 m high. Ill-defined entrances are evident in the SE and E respectively. To the SW of this larger compartment are two rather indistinct adjacent platforms, both about 9 m in diameter, edged around their E sides by crescentic scarps 0.4 m to 0.7 m high and averaging 2 m in width and bounded around the SW by the enclosure wall. These may have been stances for a further two huts. To the immediate NE of the larger hut-circle is another similarly constructed but much smaller hut, 4 m in internal diameter inside an inner facing scarp 1m in maximum height and up to 2 m wide, which reduces to minimal at the entrance in the SE where it encroaches onto the scarp of the eastern compartment. This lower smaller compartment contains one good hut- circle. Some 5 m in diameter internally, it is visible as a scarp set well into the enclosure wall around the E with its southern periphery forming the N side of the settlement entrance. There has also probably been another hut on the S side of the entrance details of which are not clear (see NT 9916/40 for separate report). (9a)
NRHE UID 1034376
NT 9952 1697. This site was formerly incorporated within NT 91 NE 31, but has now been separated. It consists of the foundations of a structure measuring about 19.2 m NW-SE by 5 m transversely between the centres of a turf-covered stone wall. This varies in height being barely visible at the NW end and increasing to a maximum of about 0.6 m at the SE end and some 1.8 m in maximum width. No sub- divisions are evident but there is a central entrance 1.3 m wide at the SW end flanked on either side by a curving crescentic wall. The N end is overlaid by a fairly modern upstanding sheep pen 13.4 m NW- SE by 4 m transversely, with a small corrugated iron roof at its SE end. Its NW end is open but has an inside scarp.
There is insufficient evidence now to confirm this as a steading (ie. Longhouse) as suggested by the OS, and it may be no more than an old sheep pen re-used and rebuilt at its NW end. The flanking curved walls at the SW end being to funnel sheep between the narrower long walls. (9b)
NRHE UID 1033855
The present record NT 91 NE 31 combines two enclosed settlements, about 50 m apart, which the Ordnance Survey field investigators lettered 'A' (NT 9949 1694) and 'B' (NT 9955 1687). This record is now split into two component parts. What follows pertains to enclosure 'B'; for details of 'A' see NT 9916/39. The remains of this small near-circular settlement has been levelled into a rough pasture hill- lope at 230 m OD. The site is overlooked by gently rising ground around the NW whilst the slopes on the SE drop quite steeply down to the River Breamish some 250 m away. The predominant feature of the settlement is a massive back scarp, some 2 m high and 8.5 m wide scooped out of the NW uphill side. This scarp merges into a turf-covered rubble bank, 0.6 m high and 3 m wide, around the W side of the settlement. The same situation probably occurred around the E side, but this has been overlain and obscured by a later rectangular building (see NT 9916/38), probably constructed from material robbed from the settlement. The bank continued around the front of the settlement where it is now mainly evident as a stony scarp along the crest of the steep natural slopes. Allowing for the rectangular stone building, which must have destroyed the entrance, the internal size of the settlement is about 24 m NE-SW by 16 m transversely. No contemporary buildings or traces of occupation are evident internally. Outside the immediate NE end of the settlement a further scooping of the slope has formed a small `extension' some 18 m in diameter and marked by stony scarps around the N and SE perimeters. A gap in the E probably marks the original point of access to the settlement. A lynchet runs off from the NE side of this `extension' to what may be a contemporary field system to the N and E (see NT 9916/36). At the SW end of the settlement what appears to be a similar, but less well-defined extension as that on the NE side measures about 17 m E/W by 8 m transversely, but there is no trace of a connecting passage and it is most likely a small field. (9b)
NRHE UID 1034373
NT 9956 1688. Set on the terraced platform of the settlement (NT 91 NE 31), and overlying its NE perimeter, are the remains of a rectangular stone walled building about 13 m NW-SE by 3 m internally. The turf and bracken-covered collapsed walls still stand to about 0.6 m high, and are spread from 1.7 m to 2.5 m wide. Its SE end overhangs the scarp of the settlement. It has been subdivided into three compartments, the middle and largest one 5.5 m by 3 m, probably having centrally opposed doorways.
The whole is definitely not contemporary with the settlement, but is probably constructed of stones robbed from it; it is almost certainly associated with similar structures [NT 9916/1-6, 9, 10, 29] and the ridge-and-furrow cultivation overlying the earlier field system [NT 9916/36].
This building together with two enclosed settlements, about 50 m apart, formerly comprised a single record (NT 91 NE 31); this record is now split into three separate components (NT 9916/37-9). (9b)
N1284
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; A S Phillips
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1976; B H Pritchard
MEASURED SURVEY, RCHME: SE Cheviots Project ; RCHME
FIELD SURVEY, A note on scooped enclosures in Northumberland
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1976; B H Pritchard
MEASURED SURVEY, RCHME: SE Cheviots Project ; RCHME
FIELD SURVEY, A note on scooped enclosures in Northumberland
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