Birtley Wood bloomery (Birtley)
Birtley Wood bloomery (NY 86757858). Large and very fine bloomery site on a raised spur with a stream nearby; use of water power unlikely. The site is now divided between two pasture fields and a conifer wood. The flat crest of the spur lies in the north-eastern field and is divided from the rest of the field by a slight bank; there are low mounds and a possible building platform, and a little slag and reddened soil with fragments of ?roasted ore. Slag tips are situated to the west and south down the steep slopes of the spur; they occupy an area of c.150m x 100m, and are a maximum of c.15m high with at least one possible path/barrow visible. The tips consist of tap slag (rather browner and more matt surfaced than the very black and glossy slags typical of north Pennine sites) with occasional pebbles (iron ore nodules?).
Probably of broadly medieval date. The site is remarkably well-preserved and of considerable importance. It is under potential threat from agricultural improvement and tree felling. (1)
Large unpowered iron smelting site situated on a raised spur close to a stream. The remains are divided between three ownerships, each with differing land management histories, resulting in varying levels of preservation. The main part lies in pasture and is divided by a later field wall. On the east side the remains comprise a series of three slag mounds which have been quarried, leaving low circular collars of slag. On the west side of the wall, two very large slag mounds have been preserved intact and hint at the size of the damaged mounds to the east. The mounds, which measure up to 15m in diameter by up to 3m high, are composed largely of pebble to cobble-sized fragments of tap slag. The form of the slag is fairly typical of the tap slags within the region but contain numerous black glassy areas. Charcoal, roasted ore and a fragment of medieval pottery were also noted in a sheep scrape. Part of the site lies in plantation to the south. Several low mounds and a considerable scree extends down a steep scarp to the south. The ore source is believed to have been the outcrop workings near Pitlands Farm, 2.25km to the ENE. The remains may be linked to the high iron output figures recorded in the district during the first half of the 14th century. The figures cease in 1353, probably due to the arrival of the Black Death.
Although damaged, the site retains some well-preserved components and probable association with documentary accounts adds considerable value. The site is nationally important and should be protected. (2)
On a raised spur close to Blind Beck, 650m south west of Birtley Shields. The site is divided into two by a later field wall and the site is situated in fields and in a conifer wood. On the east side of the wall are three slag mounds and on the west there are two very large slag mounds measuring 15m in diameter and up to 3m high. More earthworks are located in the trees on the southern part of the site. Slag found on the heaps is mostly tap slag with charcoal and roasted ore. Medieval pottery has also been found on this site. The site is under potental threat from tree felling and plough action but despite this it is beleved to contain undisturbed archaeological remains. (3a)
Probably of broadly medieval date. The site is remarkably well-preserved and of considerable importance. It is under potential threat from agricultural improvement and tree felling. (1)
Large unpowered iron smelting site situated on a raised spur close to a stream. The remains are divided between three ownerships, each with differing land management histories, resulting in varying levels of preservation. The main part lies in pasture and is divided by a later field wall. On the east side the remains comprise a series of three slag mounds which have been quarried, leaving low circular collars of slag. On the west side of the wall, two very large slag mounds have been preserved intact and hint at the size of the damaged mounds to the east. The mounds, which measure up to 15m in diameter by up to 3m high, are composed largely of pebble to cobble-sized fragments of tap slag. The form of the slag is fairly typical of the tap slags within the region but contain numerous black glassy areas. Charcoal, roasted ore and a fragment of medieval pottery were also noted in a sheep scrape. Part of the site lies in plantation to the south. Several low mounds and a considerable scree extends down a steep scarp to the south. The ore source is believed to have been the outcrop workings near Pitlands Farm, 2.25km to the ENE. The remains may be linked to the high iron output figures recorded in the district during the first half of the 14th century. The figures cease in 1353, probably due to the arrival of the Black Death.
Although damaged, the site retains some well-preserved components and probable association with documentary accounts adds considerable value. The site is nationally important and should be protected. (2)
On a raised spur close to Blind Beck, 650m south west of Birtley Shields. The site is divided into two by a later field wall and the site is situated in fields and in a conifer wood. On the east side of the wall are three slag mounds and on the west there are two very large slag mounds measuring 15m in diameter and up to 3m high. More earthworks are located in the trees on the southern part of the site. Slag found on the heaps is mostly tap slag with charcoal and roasted ore. Medieval pottery has also been found on this site. The site is under potental threat from tree felling and plough action but despite this it is beleved to contain undisturbed archaeological remains. (3a)
N7782
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