Bogle Hole, medieval or post-medieval shielings. (1)

Scheduled. (2)

The Bogle Hole is a north-facing steep-sided and flat floored depression. It enclosed by the line of Hadrian's Wall on the north (now a post-medieval field wall). This revealed twelve potential small rectangular structures. Three of the structures lie beneath the steep north eastern face of the Bogle Hole, the remaining nine are arranged in a row or terrace along the southern and eastern slopes of the depression. They are linked by an L-shaped wall, forming a substantial enclosure. There is a possible entrance in the eastern side.
A topographic survey was made in 1995 as part of research into the central sector of Hadrian's Wall. In 1998 two excavation trenches and four soil survey pits were opened as part of a project to look at mitigation measures for rabbit damage on the monument. Trench A revealed a rectangular building about 6.2m by 4.9m, which had been built onto the enclosure wall. Where the enclosure wall was used as the north wall of the building it survived upto three courses high, elsewhere it stands only one course high. It is suggested that the enclosure wall was used as a quarry for building and that it had gone out of use when the building was constructed. There was no evidence of a hearth within the structure, although some charcoal was found on the floor surface (radiocarbon date 1 sigma cal 1487-1644). No entrance was found or any datable finds.
Trench B was sited on features believed to be another building but which was found to be naturally occurring boulders and outcropping bedrock.
Soil analysis revealed a higher proportion of uniform soils with a higher agricultural potential than had been expected. This would have provided a longer grazing season within the enclosure in comparison with the surrounding land.
The building found in trench A is one of several which seem to use the enclosure as their northern wall. It is suggested this may indicate broad contemporaneity. Several other groups are identifiable and may be earlier than, or contemporary with, the enclosure. (3)

Results of radiocarbon dating a sample from the floor of the excavated structure produced a calibrated date range of AD 1451-1659 (to 2 sigma). A bulk environmental sample from the floor of the structure revealed an abundance of modern root material and a single grain of charred oat grain. The enclosure wall, on to which the shieling was built, seems to have gone out of use when the structure was built. The wall remains undated but is almost certainly post-Roman in date as there are many reused Roman stones in it. (4)

Rectangular stone structures about 4m across and 0.2m high, turf-covered; not surveyed, general position noted; date and function unknown but possibly medieval or post-medieval shielings. (5a)

Aerial photography shows a line of rectilinear enclosures abutting a linear banksome 60m long, with a short return, running northwards across the line of the Military Way. (5b)