NY 92905345 Burntshieldhaugh 1 prehistoric settlement and field system. A small rectangular enclosure containing evidence of two possible hut circles c.9.5m in diameter with evidence of an associated field system extending along the contours both to the north and south. The main enclosure measures c.45m square but is truncated on the west side by a ridge and furrow field system. The site is bisected by a later hush and contains three bell pits. It lies at approximately 285m OD in an area of natural stone outcrops. The site was first recorded by B Butcher (Northern Archaeological Group) who undertook a plane table survey of part of the site in 1990-1991.
One of only three possible prehistoric settlement sites identified within the Lord Crewe Estate. Probably late Iron Age or Romano-British. The site is currently stable under existing grazing regime (sheep), but would be damaged if used as a convenient stone 'quarry' or if the area was improved or drained. A detailed ground survey of settlement and field system should be undertaken. The site offers the potential for interpretation and public access. (1)(2)(3)
Surveyed in 1989 by B Butcher, M Maddison, S Brown, J Butcher and I Atkinson. (4)
Visited in 1990 and Autumn 1997; surveyed by Basil Butcher 1990-91. Field system more extensive than previously recorded. The remains appear typical of the type of late prehistoric settlement usually dated to the Bronze Age. (5)
Hut circle settlement and field system and Romano-British settlement north east of Burntshield Haugh. Scheduled on 27th April 1998, part of monument number 28576.
The monument includes the remains of a prehistoric hut circle settlement and associated field system, a later Romano-British settlement and a lead mining complex including a hush and a lead ore works (see NY 95 SW 5), situated on the western edge of Burntshieldhaugh Fell, overlooking the valley of Devil's Water to the south.
The hut circle settlement is visible as the remains of three circular stone founded houses measuring 10m, 6m and 5m in diameter with walls which stand to a maximum height of 0.3m. The settlement lies in open moorland immediately above the limit of medieval and post-medieval cultivation. To the north and south of the settlement and also on the open moorland, there are the remains of an associated field system; the field system is visible as a series of irregular walls of boulders up to 3m wide and standing to a maximum height of 0.5m. The walls divide the landscape into a series of enclosed areas or fields, several of which have clear entrances marked by large upright stones. A roughly square enclosure, interpreted as an Iron Age or Romano-British settlement, has been constructed over the earlier remains, incorporating the two hut circles. The enclosure measures 45m across within low walls of boulder construction. Both the prehistoric and Romano-British settlements and field system remains are likely to have originally have been more extensive. However, they have been truncated on the western side by medieval and post-medieval fields.
During the 18th century, the prehistoric settlements and field system were cut by a leadmining hush.
The prehistoric settlements and fields survive well and retain significant archaeological deposits. Few prehistoric settlements and fields have been identified in this part of the North Pennines and this example will add greatly to our knowledge and understanding of prehistoric settlement and activity in the region. (6)