Davyshiel medieval and post-medieval settlement and field system (Otterburn)
Substantial remains of a ruined farmstead and garth on east side of Hopefoot Road. Two ruined buildings, i) 10m x 5m with two rooms of unequal size and east facing entrance; ii) 15m x 4m with one room. A third building, 150m to the south east, measures 10m x 3m with two rooms of unequal size and south facing entrance (NY 888960). Associated with a large stone-walled enclosure, sod casts, three crop pits and a corn-drying kiln(?). The corn-drying kiln measures 4m diameter by 0.35m deep. (1)
An extensive medieval and later field system with two settlement centres. A topographic and partial geophysical survey were carried out and a walkover survey. The topographic survey noted the remains of a complex group of earthworks which might incorporate a corn-drying kiln, a small farmstead and stock enclosure, associated with extensive fields of broad ridge and furrow cultivation, the remnants of a probable bastle and associated stone-faced enclosure banks.
The footings of two stone buildings and a large oval enclosure are interpreted as the core of a small farmstead and lie to the south west of the earthworks. The ridge and furrow cultivation lies to the east of the farmstead and suggests a medieval date for the complex. To the south of the farmstead is a wall, 1.4m thick, which is interpreted as a possible previously unrecorded bastle.
The geophysical survey did not produce any strong results and nothing of archaeological significance was noted. (2)
Corn drying kiln noted in a field assessment visit, when noted as in a good condition and fenced off. (3)
Series of small-scale excavations carried out across the earthwork banks of the field system and corn drying kiln. Extensive areas of wide ridge and furrow are present within the area, albeit partly damaged with the insertion of recent plastic pipe drainage. The field boundaries survive to 0.5-0.65m heights, with adjacent ditches, and Post Medieval in date overlying deposits with Medieval and Post Medieval materials. A substantial corn drying kiln, previously recorded by survey, excavated was found as 6.2m by 5.4m and surviving as six courses of masonry from the stone floor of the bowl. Oat samples were recovered from the kiln bowl. (4)
Lots of detail visible on lidar imagery, including one irregular enclosure that clearly underlies the main earthwork surrounding the ridge and furrow field system. (5)
An extensive medieval and later field system with two settlement centres. A topographic and partial geophysical survey were carried out and a walkover survey. The topographic survey noted the remains of a complex group of earthworks which might incorporate a corn-drying kiln, a small farmstead and stock enclosure, associated with extensive fields of broad ridge and furrow cultivation, the remnants of a probable bastle and associated stone-faced enclosure banks.
The footings of two stone buildings and a large oval enclosure are interpreted as the core of a small farmstead and lie to the south west of the earthworks. The ridge and furrow cultivation lies to the east of the farmstead and suggests a medieval date for the complex. To the south of the farmstead is a wall, 1.4m thick, which is interpreted as a possible previously unrecorded bastle.
The geophysical survey did not produce any strong results and nothing of archaeological significance was noted. (2)
Corn drying kiln noted in a field assessment visit, when noted as in a good condition and fenced off. (3)
Series of small-scale excavations carried out across the earthwork banks of the field system and corn drying kiln. Extensive areas of wide ridge and furrow are present within the area, albeit partly damaged with the insertion of recent plastic pipe drainage. The field boundaries survive to 0.5-0.65m heights, with adjacent ditches, and Post Medieval in date overlying deposits with Medieval and Post Medieval materials. A substantial corn drying kiln, previously recorded by survey, excavated was found as 6.2m by 5.4m and surviving as six courses of masonry from the stone floor of the bowl. Oat samples were recovered from the kiln bowl. (4)
Lots of detail visible on lidar imagery, including one irregular enclosure that clearly underlies the main earthwork surrounding the ridge and furrow field system. (5)
N8241
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY, Otterburn Training Area 1995; GSB Prospection
TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY, Otterburn Training Area 1995; Lancaster University Archaeological Unit
EXCAVATION, Otterburn Training Area, 2002-2005 2005; Archaeological Services Durham University
TRIAL TRENCH, Otterburn Training Area, 2002-2005 2005; Archaeological Services Durham University
WATCHING BRIEF, Otterburn Training Area, 2002-2005 2005; Archaeological Services Durham University
AERIAL INVESTIGATION AND MAPPING, Redesdale Lidar Landscapes project ; Oracle Heritage Services
TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY, Otterburn Training Area 1995; Lancaster University Archaeological Unit
EXCAVATION, Otterburn Training Area, 2002-2005 2005; Archaeological Services Durham University
TRIAL TRENCH, Otterburn Training Area, 2002-2005 2005; Archaeological Services Durham University
WATCHING BRIEF, Otterburn Training Area, 2002-2005 2005; Archaeological Services Durham University
AERIAL INVESTIGATION AND MAPPING, Redesdale Lidar Landscapes project ; Oracle Heritage Services
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