NZ 1224 6657 Earthwork (L.B.) (1)

Houghton is one of a small category of earthworks which, in general, are circular or oval in form, and are situated on slopes. They have an internal area consistent with other forts and settlements, and are usually univallate, with an internal mound, median ditch, and counterscarp bank. They possess few other distinguishing features; some may be merely stock enclosures. (2)

Both inner and outer banks, where still apparent, are very slight, and the ditch is largely silted up, except for the north side where it attains a depth of 1.3m. Opposing entrances in the east and west sides are probably original. There are no internal features. Quite clearly the earthwork pre-dates the surrounding medieval field system, but there is little other dating evidence. OS 25 inch survey revised. (3)

Listed by Challis and Harding as a slight univallate hill slope enclosure (Iron Age). (4)

Scheduled. (5)

An oval cornelian intaglio, largely complete, showing the figure of Mercury carrying a herald's wand and an elongated money bag has been recovered from High Close House, west of Heddon-on-the-Wall. The intaglio dates to the early 2nd century AD. A pair of glass beads of Guido's Groups 6iia and 6ivb have also been recovered. These types of bead continue well into the post-Roman period. (6)

NZ 123 666. Heddon-on-the-Wall. Listed in a gazetteer of British hillforts as a ?univallate structure enclosing 1.1ha. (7a)

NZ 122 666. Houghton camp near Heddon-on-the-Wall. Scheduled No ND/159. (7b)

The enclosure survives as earthworks and is visible on air photographs, centred at NZ 1224 6657. It has medieval ridge and furrow within the enclosure and surrounding it (see NZ 16 NW 124). It has an inner an outer bank an opposed entrances as described above. It lies north of the River Tyne. (7c)

Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (7d)

General association with HER 31244 (ridge and furrow). (7)