Roman period settlement on Harthope Hill (Akeld)
This Roman period settlement sits on the east slope of Harehope Hill. The main enclosure is a sub-oval area (42m x 24m) marked out by a 2m wide stone bank edged by large boulders. The entrance is in the eastern edge. This area is divided into two parts, by a further bank of stones. The base of a rectangular building is visible in the northern half of this area. In the southern half the base of a circular hut (7m in diameter) can be seen on a larger raised platform. A second enclosure can be seen outside this main enclosure. This is much smaller (14m x 23m), and is also marked out in places by a stone bank. It also contained the remains of a prehistoric hut. A third enclosure lies 44m to the east, This is only 10m x 13m and is cut into the hillside to a depth of 1m. A trackway runs north and south of the main enclosure. To the north it is cut into the hillside, and continues until it reaches a modern field boundary. To the south the track follows the contour of the hill for 100m before it disappears. A small square enclosure, 16m x 16m, edged by a low boulder bank, is immediately next to the western edge of the track, to the north of the main enclosure. This site is an excellent example of a Roman period native settlement and its associated features. The trackways forms an important part of the settlement and may provide important information about how the site related to neighbouring settlements, This is a Scheduled Monument protected by law.
N1507
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1955; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1969; R W Emsley
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1969; R W Emsley
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