Cropmarks of curvilinear enclosure, apparently multi-ditched, probably of late prehistoric defensive type. (1)

A geophysical survey of the area of cropmarks was carried out in 2004. During scanning a number of strong magnetic responses of interest were encountered within a relatively high level of background magnetic response. Detailed survey successfully recorded anomalies associated with the cropmarks and, with the detection of further responses, determined that a settlement enclosure is likely to be present and extends eastward under the line of the railway. Other linear responses were recorded that hint at further enclosures or possible field systems but the anomalies are less substantial and intemittent in nature. (2)

Evaluation in 2005 revealed the presence of significant archaeological remains. Substantial ditches, dating to the Early Iron Age, were recorded confirming the presence of the potential enclosure described above. Significant re-cutting of the main enclosure ditch, a possible terminus suggesting an entrance and the insertion of a later enclosure ditch on a lesser scale, indicated that there were at least three major phases of activity. The earliest phase of activity was a prehistoric ditched enclosure; the second an Early Iron Age palisaded enclosure; and the third an Early Iron Age enclosure with internal features.
A small amount of prehistoric pottery was recovered dating from the Early Iron Age. Soil samples from the site contained contained oat and barley grains, as well as marine shells (periwinkle and limpet). Few animal remains were found owing to the acidic nature of the soil. (3)

During excavations in 2005 a substantial amount of briquetage was discovered. The suggestion has been made that this may be a site of secondary processing or refining of salt during the prehistoric period. (4)

The eastern portion of the site was excavated in 2005 as part of a phased programme of archaeological work ahead of development of the adjacent industrial estate. This comprised about 10% of the area of the enclosure. Substantial perimeter ditches, more than 3m wide and 1m deep were recorded, and the was evidence of several instances of recutting suggesting that perhaps the site had been occupied on a seasonal or intermittent basis. A radiocrabon date from food residue on a sherd of pottery found in one the ditch recuts showed the enclosure was in use in the Iron Age. Two entrance were recorded, one of which had been altered on several occasions, gradually shifting position and increasing in width. Another ditch associated with the most northerly entrance extended out from the enclosure and may have been related to livestock control. No remains of houses were found inside the enclosure, although artefactual and ecofactual material recovered from the enclosure ditch is broadly suggestive of domestic occupation in the immediate vicinity.
In the easternmost part of the excavations a series of features were found that post-dated the abandonment of the enclosure, although the enclosure ditch would have survived as an earthwork. Iron Age pottery and briquetage were found in many of these features, the briquetage providing evidence of saltmaking. A possible working hollow was revealed as a substantial natural depression which had been modified by human activity. Saltmaking may have taken place in three broad, shallow pits near to the north-eastern limit of the excavation area. Each pit contained stones, possibly from collapsed structures or disturbed surfaces. A radiocarbon date from the later pre-Roman Iron Age was taken from charred material in a deposit around the stones in one of these shallow pits.
A number of shallow pits appear to post-date the possible saltmaking features. Some of these pits were lined with clay but their purpose is unknown. Finds from the pits included a fragment of glass bangle and a sherd of samian ware of first to second century AD date.
Overall the site has produced the largest assemblage of briquetage yet found in Northumberland and is the most northerly salt-making site yet found in Britain. The site has also produced one of the largest assemblages of Iron Age tradition pottery in Northumberland, with many of the sherds from unusually robust vessels, with evidence for their original use surviving as burnt residues. Evidence from the site shows the inhabitants practised a mixed agricultural economy, with evidence of cereal grains (oat, barley, wheat, wild taxa) and processing from quernstones. Faunal remains were poorly preserved but comprised domesticated species with small amounts of cattle, caprovid, pig and horse; marine shell showed wild resources were also used by the Iron Age population. (5)(6)(7)

The full report of The Needles Eye enclosure has now been published. The archaeological excavations were located in the north-eastern corner of the development site and measured about 105m by 55m, with irregular extensions beyond this main area. The excavations carried out revealed a possible palisaded enclosure to be overlain by three phases of one ditched enclosure, a further ditched enclosure of two phases (which included a working hollow, yard surfaces and stone-filled pits), and of 1st to 2nd century AD pits and fencelines.
Of particular note a large Later Prehistoric pottery assemblage was recovered, of nine different fabrics, and including a large quantity of briquetage used in the production of salt. Two classes of briquetage were recovered as containers and support pieces, which are akin to material from eastern England. Other finds recovered include fragments of Kilbridge-Jones glass bangles, a series of six pieces of rotary querns, six stones of probable saddle querns or mortars, various pieces of medieval and post-medieval pottery, plant, and animal, marine shell and insect remains. (8)

Potential Iron Age settlement consisting of a double ditched enclosure with associated field boundaries and a ditch of uncertain date are visible as cropmarks on air photographs, centred at NT 9897 5536.
At NT 9910 5544 is the double ditched enclosure. The monument has a greatly interrupted circuit and measure approximately 121m in width. A potential double ditched entrance is visible at NT 9912 5552. It is possible that some of the ditches may be non archaeological in nature. It is suggested that this monument represents an Iron Age hillfort, possibly associated with the hillforts visible to the south west (UID 4224 and UID 4227, HER 2444 and 2445).
To the west of the enclosure, remains of an Iron Age/Roman rural landscape are visible. Field boundaries run on a north-west south-east direction for approximately 329m. Perpendicular to these an additional field boundary is visible to the south. (see HER 23893). (9)

General association with HER 2444 and HER 2445. (9)