West Camp on Dod Law (Doddington)
(NU 00413171) Camp. (1)
Several hut circles against Rampart. (one has been heavily dug into but not filled in (NU 004331700), remains of rectangular building. (2)
The fort is irregularly circular, 65 yards in diameter, and is protected by a declivity to the south-west. 'Of the two earthen ramparts the outer is the higher, being (in 1924) 5ft in height: the inner rampart is obscured to the east by later work. The entrances have probably been to the north-west and south-east. There are at least nine hut-circles in the fort, one excavated by our member, Mr. Carr, shows a well-built wall of sandstone. To the north of the fort is an annex measuring 75 yards by 44, and five hut-circles lie outside the annex at its north side. (3)
The camp is rounded in form and somewhat pear-shaped, and may have been connected to a camp 120 yards to the east (NU 03 SW 17) as there are traces of a rampart which would have joined the two together. (4)
West Dod Law. A circular earthwork with multiple ramparts enclosing approximately 1/2 acre. (5)
Type B2 (Forts on high ground less dependent on natural slopes for protection). (6)
Situated on near level ground just above the 600 foot contour with steep natural slopes (approx 1:2) to the SW. The site commands a good view on all side except the east and north-east where it is overlooked by a low escarpment approx 150m distant.
The main earthwork is roughly D-shaped, the straight side being to the south-west on the edge of the steep natural slopes and consists of two concentric ramparts of earth and stones.
The inner ramparts, which in places is badly mutilated, varies in width from 5m to 7m and from 0.4m to 3m in height. The greatest height is on the straight south-west side where scarping of the natural slopes give added strength. The outer rampart, which is generally stronger, varies in width from 6m to 8m and from 1.2m to 2.5m in height, the highest point being also to the south-west.
To the north-west is an outer annexe contained by a bank of earth and stones 3m to 5m in width and from 0.5m to 0.8m in height. There are two entrances to the main enclosure. That to the south-east is slightly downhill and gives access to the lower ground to the south. The outer bank on each side turns inwards almost as far as the inner rampart, the passage so formed has braces of stone revetting. To the north-west and slightly uphill is an entrance giving access to the outer annexe. It appears to have been a simple entrance although stone robbing of the inner bank to the north-east gives the impression of an enlarged terminal. The annexe has a gap possibly an entrance on the west side, giving access to the near level summit of the spur.
The main enclosure contains six certain hut circles and possibly four others. They vary in diameter from 4m to 8m and one of the huts still has two courses of internal walling visible. To the east is the foundation of a rectangular building or enclosure, probably fairly modern. The inner rampart at this point has been removed to accommodate it. Immediately to the south a transverse bank joins the two ramparts, possibly to contain stock, but it may be associated with the rectangular steading. Also in the enclosure to the east is what appears to be the steading of a small L-shaped building, also probably modern. There are no indications of habitation inside the annexe which was probably for stock. There are however several shallow pits, average size 3m x 2m. These may have been some sort of shelter for animals or may be the result of surface digging for stone. Attached to the outside of the bank on the north side of the annexe is a hut circle 7m in diameter, and immediately to the east two small sub-rectangular enclosures, also attached to the bank a gap in the bank of the annexe gives access to the central of these features, which may represent the survivors of the five hut circles referred to in T3 (1), no other trace of which was found.
The nearest water supply is some 400m to the south. The modern well approximately 150m to the north-east indicates an accessible water table.
The purpose of the earthwork was evidently for stock as well as habitation. The situation is not very good for defensive purposes, being overlooked from the east. The artificial defences however are quite strong, their size and construction being suggestive of the Iron Age. From the lower ground to the west and south it is quite inconspicuous and it is possible that the siting of the earthwork was chosen for its concealment value.
There is no trace of any rampart connecting this earthwork with that to the east (NU 03 SW). It is possible that they were associated, in view of their proximity. Another enclosure further east (NU 03 SW) may have also been associated. (7)
West Dod Law. Inside the main enclosure are two pairs of huts connected by a slight wall with a central gateway. The huts look like later insertions. (8)
Description generally confirmed. There is a third bank on the south, the outward facing scarp of which continues along the south-west side of the earthwork. The bank is up to 0.5m high.
Six hut circles can be identified in the interior, one of them being the slight wall with a central gateway mentioned by Authority 5. Their entrances where visible are on the south-east. The possible hut circles shown by F1 in the interior seem more likely to be structures associated with the modern building the footings of which lie on the course of the inner bank on the east. Only one of the structures is circular and appears to have been a kiln. On the north-west of the
main enclosure and its annexe is a much disturbed area where but one hut circle is discernible. The remaining features here could well be the result of surface quarrying. The L-shaped building mentioned by F1 is doubtful.
Published survey (25 inch) revised. (9)
Fort. (10)
Listed as pre-Roman Iron Age multivallate (forts, settlements and enclosures), with a Romano-British overlying settlement of round stone huts. (11)
Condition unchanged. (12)
A brief description of the site, along with bibliographic details, has been published as part of a survey of sites on Doddington and Horton Moors.
Excavated 1984-5 by Newcastle University Archaeology Department under Dr C Smith; concentrated on ramparts and annexe. Finds included prehistoric pottery, glass bangle fragments, melon bead, slag, querns, 1st century brooches, animal bone, carbonised plant remains, cup and ring marked stones, flints, clearance cairn containing portable cup and ring marked stones. (13)
The NMRC holds aerial photos showing the excavations in progress. (13c-e)
Excavation in summer 1984 by University of Newcastle. Dod Law, less than 0.3ha, heavily defended. North and south entrances, the north opening into an annexe. Stone-built hut circle settlement in interior, probably an Romano-British.
Three areas opened up; west part of rampart; outer rampart on north side where annexe intersects; and a third area in the annexe including the cup and ring marked stone. (14)
(Details as (13) and (14)). (15)
The site was excavated from 1984-5 (event UID 646983). Three trenches were opened:
'A' - A 10m length of the inner rampart was exposed. It was found to be stone built and c.3.2m wide. A section was dug through it and showed that it stood c.1.5m high and overlay a 'charcoal rich occupation layer'. The outer face of the wall had partially collapsed, sealing a 'rich rubbish deposit'. Trench A was subsequently extended across the outer rampart, which was found to be an earthern dump rampart with an inner stone revetment.
'B' - A trench was dug across the outer rampart at its junction with the annex rampart. The relationship between the two was not resolved. The structure of the outer rampart was found to be much as in trench A (ie earth dump with inner stone revetment) but it seemed that the inner revetment was a later addition.
'C' - A trench ran from the interior of the annex, across the rampart to an earthfast cup-marked stone. Excavation of this trench was not completed, and was mainly limited to the area outside the annex. Here the remains of a cairn were found to lie over and against the cup marked stone. The cairn, whcih had traces of a kerb, was built on a stone 'pavement' and contained a number of portable cup-marked stones.
Finds from the excavation included potery vessels and animal bone. Small finds included bronze fibulae, a glass bangle, a melon bead, quernstones, hammerstones, slag and a sling stone.
On the basis of the excavation, three constructional phases were suggested:
I - Dump construction outer rampart with palisade built
II - Stone inner rampart built
III - Partial destruction of inner rampart and construction of inner revetment of outer rampart.
The above account is based on the two brief interim reports published. (14, 15, 16c)
A full excavation report has now also been published. (16d)
NU 004 316. West Dod Law. Listed in a gazetteer of British hillforts as a multivallate structure enclosing 0.24ha. (16a)
NU 004 317. Two camps and cup and ring marked rocks on Dod Law. Scheduled No ND/94. (16b)
It is recorded that a fragment of glass armlet was found on this site in 1910. It may be that this find came from the excavations conducted by Mr Carr. (16e)
General association with HER 3792, HER 3795 and HER 3802. (16)
Several hut circles against Rampart. (one has been heavily dug into but not filled in (NU 004331700), remains of rectangular building. (2)
The fort is irregularly circular, 65 yards in diameter, and is protected by a declivity to the south-west. 'Of the two earthen ramparts the outer is the higher, being (in 1924) 5ft in height: the inner rampart is obscured to the east by later work. The entrances have probably been to the north-west and south-east. There are at least nine hut-circles in the fort, one excavated by our member, Mr. Carr, shows a well-built wall of sandstone. To the north of the fort is an annex measuring 75 yards by 44, and five hut-circles lie outside the annex at its north side. (3)
The camp is rounded in form and somewhat pear-shaped, and may have been connected to a camp 120 yards to the east (NU 03 SW 17) as there are traces of a rampart which would have joined the two together. (4)
West Dod Law. A circular earthwork with multiple ramparts enclosing approximately 1/2 acre. (5)
Type B2 (Forts on high ground less dependent on natural slopes for protection). (6)
Situated on near level ground just above the 600 foot contour with steep natural slopes (approx 1:2) to the SW. The site commands a good view on all side except the east and north-east where it is overlooked by a low escarpment approx 150m distant.
The main earthwork is roughly D-shaped, the straight side being to the south-west on the edge of the steep natural slopes and consists of two concentric ramparts of earth and stones.
The inner ramparts, which in places is badly mutilated, varies in width from 5m to 7m and from 0.4m to 3m in height. The greatest height is on the straight south-west side where scarping of the natural slopes give added strength. The outer rampart, which is generally stronger, varies in width from 6m to 8m and from 1.2m to 2.5m in height, the highest point being also to the south-west.
To the north-west is an outer annexe contained by a bank of earth and stones 3m to 5m in width and from 0.5m to 0.8m in height. There are two entrances to the main enclosure. That to the south-east is slightly downhill and gives access to the lower ground to the south. The outer bank on each side turns inwards almost as far as the inner rampart, the passage so formed has braces of stone revetting. To the north-west and slightly uphill is an entrance giving access to the outer annexe. It appears to have been a simple entrance although stone robbing of the inner bank to the north-east gives the impression of an enlarged terminal. The annexe has a gap possibly an entrance on the west side, giving access to the near level summit of the spur.
The main enclosure contains six certain hut circles and possibly four others. They vary in diameter from 4m to 8m and one of the huts still has two courses of internal walling visible. To the east is the foundation of a rectangular building or enclosure, probably fairly modern. The inner rampart at this point has been removed to accommodate it. Immediately to the south a transverse bank joins the two ramparts, possibly to contain stock, but it may be associated with the rectangular steading. Also in the enclosure to the east is what appears to be the steading of a small L-shaped building, also probably modern. There are no indications of habitation inside the annexe which was probably for stock. There are however several shallow pits, average size 3m x 2m. These may have been some sort of shelter for animals or may be the result of surface digging for stone. Attached to the outside of the bank on the north side of the annexe is a hut circle 7m in diameter, and immediately to the east two small sub-rectangular enclosures, also attached to the bank a gap in the bank of the annexe gives access to the central of these features, which may represent the survivors of the five hut circles referred to in T3 (1), no other trace of which was found.
The nearest water supply is some 400m to the south. The modern well approximately 150m to the north-east indicates an accessible water table.
The purpose of the earthwork was evidently for stock as well as habitation. The situation is not very good for defensive purposes, being overlooked from the east. The artificial defences however are quite strong, their size and construction being suggestive of the Iron Age. From the lower ground to the west and south it is quite inconspicuous and it is possible that the siting of the earthwork was chosen for its concealment value.
There is no trace of any rampart connecting this earthwork with that to the east (NU 03 SW). It is possible that they were associated, in view of their proximity. Another enclosure further east (NU 03 SW) may have also been associated. (7)
West Dod Law. Inside the main enclosure are two pairs of huts connected by a slight wall with a central gateway. The huts look like later insertions. (8)
Description generally confirmed. There is a third bank on the south, the outward facing scarp of which continues along the south-west side of the earthwork. The bank is up to 0.5m high.
Six hut circles can be identified in the interior, one of them being the slight wall with a central gateway mentioned by Authority 5. Their entrances where visible are on the south-east. The possible hut circles shown by F1 in the interior seem more likely to be structures associated with the modern building the footings of which lie on the course of the inner bank on the east. Only one of the structures is circular and appears to have been a kiln. On the north-west of the
main enclosure and its annexe is a much disturbed area where but one hut circle is discernible. The remaining features here could well be the result of surface quarrying. The L-shaped building mentioned by F1 is doubtful.
Published survey (25 inch) revised. (9)
Fort. (10)
Listed as pre-Roman Iron Age multivallate (forts, settlements and enclosures), with a Romano-British overlying settlement of round stone huts. (11)
Condition unchanged. (12)
A brief description of the site, along with bibliographic details, has been published as part of a survey of sites on Doddington and Horton Moors.
Excavated 1984-5 by Newcastle University Archaeology Department under Dr C Smith; concentrated on ramparts and annexe. Finds included prehistoric pottery, glass bangle fragments, melon bead, slag, querns, 1st century brooches, animal bone, carbonised plant remains, cup and ring marked stones, flints, clearance cairn containing portable cup and ring marked stones. (13)
The NMRC holds aerial photos showing the excavations in progress. (13c-e)
Excavation in summer 1984 by University of Newcastle. Dod Law, less than 0.3ha, heavily defended. North and south entrances, the north opening into an annexe. Stone-built hut circle settlement in interior, probably an Romano-British.
Three areas opened up; west part of rampart; outer rampart on north side where annexe intersects; and a third area in the annexe including the cup and ring marked stone. (14)
(Details as (13) and (14)). (15)
The site was excavated from 1984-5 (event UID 646983). Three trenches were opened:
'A' - A 10m length of the inner rampart was exposed. It was found to be stone built and c.3.2m wide. A section was dug through it and showed that it stood c.1.5m high and overlay a 'charcoal rich occupation layer'. The outer face of the wall had partially collapsed, sealing a 'rich rubbish deposit'. Trench A was subsequently extended across the outer rampart, which was found to be an earthern dump rampart with an inner stone revetment.
'B' - A trench was dug across the outer rampart at its junction with the annex rampart. The relationship between the two was not resolved. The structure of the outer rampart was found to be much as in trench A (ie earth dump with inner stone revetment) but it seemed that the inner revetment was a later addition.
'C' - A trench ran from the interior of the annex, across the rampart to an earthfast cup-marked stone. Excavation of this trench was not completed, and was mainly limited to the area outside the annex. Here the remains of a cairn were found to lie over and against the cup marked stone. The cairn, whcih had traces of a kerb, was built on a stone 'pavement' and contained a number of portable cup-marked stones.
Finds from the excavation included potery vessels and animal bone. Small finds included bronze fibulae, a glass bangle, a melon bead, quernstones, hammerstones, slag and a sling stone.
On the basis of the excavation, three constructional phases were suggested:
I - Dump construction outer rampart with palisade built
II - Stone inner rampart built
III - Partial destruction of inner rampart and construction of inner revetment of outer rampart.
The above account is based on the two brief interim reports published. (14, 15, 16c)
A full excavation report has now also been published. (16d)
NU 004 316. West Dod Law. Listed in a gazetteer of British hillforts as a multivallate structure enclosing 0.24ha. (16a)
NU 004 317. Two camps and cup and ring marked rocks on Dod Law. Scheduled No ND/94. (16b)
It is recorded that a fragment of glass armlet was found on this site in 1910. It may be that this find came from the excavations conducted by Mr Carr. (16e)
General association with HER 3792, HER 3795 and HER 3802. (16)
N3795
EXCAVATION, Excavatioin at Dod Law West 1925; CARR
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1955; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1964; R D Loader
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1968; D Smith
EXCAVATION, Excavation at Dod Law West 1985; SMITH, C
FIELD SURVEY, Hill forts and settlements in Northumberland ; G Jobey
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1955; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1964; R D Loader
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1968; D Smith
EXCAVATION, Excavation at Dod Law West 1985; SMITH, C
FIELD SURVEY, Hill forts and settlements in Northumberland ; G Jobey
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.