Romano-British and medieval settlement on Barracker Rigg (Otterburn)
NY 885975. Settlement: Roman British and later. (1)
NY 88529760. Situated approximately 275m OD on south-east gently facing open pastureland, with steeper stream valley slopes directly to the south are the remains of a complex of stone founded enclosures and associated huts. (See illustration).
'A' A substantial oval enclosure with an entrance in the south-east and with one adjoining hut circle and one probable hut site situated on higher ground to the north. A sub-rectangular enclosure on the south-east formed by a turf covered stony bank may be a later addition.
'B' A larger, sub-divided stone walled enclosure with three entrances, containing an elevated central hut site and probably contemporary with 'A'.
'C' A group of poorly defined irregular enclosures and rectangular platforms mutilated by robbing and surface quarrying. It is conjectural whether these remains are contemporary with 'A' and 'B', their slight nature making positive interpretation uncertain, but the general form suggests a contemporary context with later possibly medieval reoccupation.
A slight lynchet directly to the north is the only trace of a field system which may be associated with the original occupation, a large rectangular enclosed field and numerous banks and low walls surrounding the site are probably of later date. (See NY 99 NE 16). The whole would appear to represent a small Romano British settlement, partially reoccupied at a later date. Surveyed at 1:10,000. (2)
Probable Romano British unenclosed forecourt settlement with four huts. (See Romano-British plan). (3)
Additional references. (4,5,6)
Scheduled. (7)
Barracker Rigg, Romano British settlement with round houses, scooped yards and walled fields.(8)
NY 88529760. Situated approximately 275m OD on south-east gently facing open pastureland, with steeper stream valley slopes directly to the south are the remains of a complex of stone founded enclosures and associated huts. (See illustration).
'A' A substantial oval enclosure with an entrance in the south-east and with one adjoining hut circle and one probable hut site situated on higher ground to the north. A sub-rectangular enclosure on the south-east formed by a turf covered stony bank may be a later addition.
'B' A larger, sub-divided stone walled enclosure with three entrances, containing an elevated central hut site and probably contemporary with 'A'.
'C' A group of poorly defined irregular enclosures and rectangular platforms mutilated by robbing and surface quarrying. It is conjectural whether these remains are contemporary with 'A' and 'B', their slight nature making positive interpretation uncertain, but the general form suggests a contemporary context with later possibly medieval reoccupation.
A slight lynchet directly to the north is the only trace of a field system which may be associated with the original occupation, a large rectangular enclosed field and numerous banks and low walls surrounding the site are probably of later date. (See NY 99 NE 16). The whole would appear to represent a small Romano British settlement, partially reoccupied at a later date. Surveyed at 1:10,000. (2)
Probable Romano British unenclosed forecourt settlement with four huts. (See Romano-British plan). (3)
Additional references. (4,5,6)
Scheduled. (7)
Barracker Rigg, Romano British settlement with round houses, scooped yards and walled fields.(8)
N8169
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1977; S Ainsworth
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