Prehistoric field system and cairnfield east of Watch Hill, 520m NNE of footbridge over Carey Burn (Wooler)
NT 95982614 An area of small mounds, presumably burials. At NT 96572658 (SMR NT92NE184) is a large burial mound partly excavated by John Bainham in August 1949. (1)
NT 961263. The mounds are mainly stone clearance heaps of a typical Bronze Age agricultural site. At the extremities of the complex, are four mounds which are probably genuine burial cairns, including at NT 96622657 (SMR NT 92 NE184) the cairn described by Aitchison. No dwellings have been identified. All features have been surveyed at 1:1250. (2)
John Bainham could not be contacted, and there is no local knowledge of his excavation. (3)
NT 962264 (SMR NT92NE1). On a prominent east facing hill spur, there is an extensive field system defined by fields, lynchets, stone clearance heaps. Within the field system there are four probable burial cairns. The fields are in the main rectangular or sub-rectangular in shape, the largest well defined field measuring approximately 65m by 33m and the average approximately 35m by 25m. The stone clearance heaps are visible as low circular heather covered mounds ranging from 1m to 6m in diameter and linear mounds ranging from 10m to 13m in length. The field system and surrounding area was perambulated but no habitation sites could be located. (See 1:1250 enlargements). There are four probable burial cairns.
A: NT 96052626. (SMR NT92NE1) A substantial heather covered cairn measuring approximately 10m in diameter, maximum height 0.9m. Several earthfast stones probably represent the remains of a peripheral kerb. The cairn cairn has been apparently excavated, a trench having been cut in the centre, and has been mutilated on the north-east and south-east quadrants.
B: NT 96602656.(SMR NT92NE184) A low turf covered cairn measuring 8.4m in diameter, maximum height 0.6m. Around the east quadrant several earthfast stones are the probable remains of an original peripheral kerb and others have been exposed on the north side by an excavation trench which cuts into the centre of the cairn. Approximately 9m north-east of this cairn is a small pile of stones which is obviously the residue from this excavation.
C: NT 9232598. A low stony heather covered mound approximately 4.6m in diameter maximum height 0.5m. There are several earthfast stones around the east quadrant probably the remains of an original peripheral kerb. There is evidence of the mound being disturbed on the south-east quadrant, possibly by sheep scratching rather than robbing or excavation. Possibly a sepulchral cairn.
D: NT 96552652.(SMR NT92NE184) A low turf-covered cairn measuring approximately 7m in diameter, 0.4m maximum height, but much spread around the periphery. There are numerous large stones around the perimeter but these are probably the residue from disturbance in the centre, rather than a peripheral kerb. Although there are numerous clearance heaps in this area this mound is very similar to cairn 'B' and is probably sepulchral.
Cairns surveyed at 1:10,000. Field system delineated on 6 inch Record Sheet. (4)
Scheduled. (5)
Both this scheduled area and SM31709 (SMR NT92NE 184) appear to be part of a much wider field system, of which SM31709 comprises the eastern end and SM31708 the western end. (6)
NT 959 263. Cairn cemetery SE of Fredden Hill. Scheduled No ND/525. (7a)
General association with HER 1669 (Bronze Age field system, cairnfield, burial cairns and enclosed cremation cemetery). (7)
NT 961263. The mounds are mainly stone clearance heaps of a typical Bronze Age agricultural site. At the extremities of the complex, are four mounds which are probably genuine burial cairns, including at NT 96622657 (SMR NT 92 NE184) the cairn described by Aitchison. No dwellings have been identified. All features have been surveyed at 1:1250. (2)
John Bainham could not be contacted, and there is no local knowledge of his excavation. (3)
NT 962264 (SMR NT92NE1). On a prominent east facing hill spur, there is an extensive field system defined by fields, lynchets, stone clearance heaps. Within the field system there are four probable burial cairns. The fields are in the main rectangular or sub-rectangular in shape, the largest well defined field measuring approximately 65m by 33m and the average approximately 35m by 25m. The stone clearance heaps are visible as low circular heather covered mounds ranging from 1m to 6m in diameter and linear mounds ranging from 10m to 13m in length. The field system and surrounding area was perambulated but no habitation sites could be located. (See 1:1250 enlargements). There are four probable burial cairns.
A: NT 96052626. (SMR NT92NE1) A substantial heather covered cairn measuring approximately 10m in diameter, maximum height 0.9m. Several earthfast stones probably represent the remains of a peripheral kerb. The cairn cairn has been apparently excavated, a trench having been cut in the centre, and has been mutilated on the north-east and south-east quadrants.
B: NT 96602656.(SMR NT92NE184) A low turf covered cairn measuring 8.4m in diameter, maximum height 0.6m. Around the east quadrant several earthfast stones are the probable remains of an original peripheral kerb and others have been exposed on the north side by an excavation trench which cuts into the centre of the cairn. Approximately 9m north-east of this cairn is a small pile of stones which is obviously the residue from this excavation.
C: NT 9232598. A low stony heather covered mound approximately 4.6m in diameter maximum height 0.5m. There are several earthfast stones around the east quadrant probably the remains of an original peripheral kerb. There is evidence of the mound being disturbed on the south-east quadrant, possibly by sheep scratching rather than robbing or excavation. Possibly a sepulchral cairn.
D: NT 96552652.(SMR NT92NE184) A low turf-covered cairn measuring approximately 7m in diameter, 0.4m maximum height, but much spread around the periphery. There are numerous large stones around the perimeter but these are probably the residue from disturbance in the centre, rather than a peripheral kerb. Although there are numerous clearance heaps in this area this mound is very similar to cairn 'B' and is probably sepulchral.
Cairns surveyed at 1:10,000. Field system delineated on 6 inch Record Sheet. (4)
Scheduled. (5)
Both this scheduled area and SM31709 (SMR NT92NE 184) appear to be part of a much wider field system, of which SM31709 comprises the eastern end and SM31708 the western end. (6)
NT 959 263. Cairn cemetery SE of Fredden Hill. Scheduled No ND/525. (7a)
General association with HER 1669 (Bronze Age field system, cairnfield, burial cairns and enclosed cremation cemetery). (7)
N1489
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1967; E C Waight
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1969; R W Emsley
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1976; S Ainsworth
WATCHING BRIEF, Wooler Common access tracks ; Lancaster University Archaeological Unit
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1969; R W Emsley
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1976; S Ainsworth
WATCHING BRIEF, Wooler Common access tracks ; Lancaster University Archaeological Unit
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