Settlement (Tillside)
NU 0677 2982 Dark soil mark. (1)
This site falls on the 200' contour in a river valley, is overlooked by higher ground on all sides, and is situated on a gentle north-west slope (approximately 1:30).
There is no surface indication of antiquity, the field in which the site occurs has been recently ploughed, no finds of archaeological note were made during surface perambulation.
The topographical situation is well suited for habitation, being secluded on fertile ground and having an excellent water supply in a swiftly running stream approximately 100m to the north-west. This situation, in conjunction with the air photograph of the site - which tends to suggest a ditched enclosure with splayed entrance and possible internal habitation sites - leads to an interpretation of the whole as a probable enclosure, habitational and stock, of unknown period, the site appearing too large for a homestead.
Similar enclosures have been encountered in this county, usually below the 700'-800' line, none have as yet, been dated.
A view of the site was obtained from a height of approximately 570'; no ground markings were visible corresponding to the aerial photograph soil mark.
Enquires of the owner/farmer were negative re historical information about the field, no archaeological finds having been reported and no field name known. (2)
The sub-rectangular nature of the cropmark enclosure, with indications of an east facing entrance, and internal remains resembles the rectilinear type of homestead/settlement common in the North Tyne area, but comparatively rare so far north. (3)
Additional Reference (4)
This site falls on the 200' contour in a river valley, is overlooked by higher ground on all sides, and is situated on a gentle north-west slope (approximately 1:30).
There is no surface indication of antiquity, the field in which the site occurs has been recently ploughed, no finds of archaeological note were made during surface perambulation.
The topographical situation is well suited for habitation, being secluded on fertile ground and having an excellent water supply in a swiftly running stream approximately 100m to the north-west. This situation, in conjunction with the air photograph of the site - which tends to suggest a ditched enclosure with splayed entrance and possible internal habitation sites - leads to an interpretation of the whole as a probable enclosure, habitational and stock, of unknown period, the site appearing too large for a homestead.
Similar enclosures have been encountered in this county, usually below the 700'-800' line, none have as yet, been dated.
A view of the site was obtained from a height of approximately 570'; no ground markings were visible corresponding to the aerial photograph soil mark.
Enquires of the owner/farmer were negative re historical information about the field, no archaeological finds having been reported and no field name known. (2)
The sub-rectangular nature of the cropmark enclosure, with indications of an east facing entrance, and internal remains resembles the rectilinear type of homestead/settlement common in the North Tyne area, but comparatively rare so far north. (3)
Additional Reference (4)
N3410
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1955; F H Colquhoun
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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