Huckhoe Settlement

Huckhoe Settlement is an archaeological site in Northumberland, England, near the village of Bolam and about 7 miles (11 km) west of Morpeth. The site shows occupation, in at least four phases, dating from the early Iron Age (6th century BC) to the post-Roman period (6th century AD). It is a scheduled monument.[1]

Huckhoe Settlement
Huckhoe Settlement is located in Northumberland
Huckhoe Settlement
Shown within Northumberland
Locationnear Bolam
Coordinates55°8′22″N 1°53′13″W
OS grid referenceNZ 073 828
TypeDefended settlement
History
Periods6th century BC to 6th century AD
Site notes
Excavation dates1955–1957
Designated17 March 1995
Reference no.1011838

Description

The site is on an oval promontory, steep on the north and west sides, above a tributary of the River Wansbeck. There is a low earth and stone bank forming an enclosure, 94 metres (308 ft) north-east to south-west by 72 metres (236 ft) north-west to south-east, with an entrance of width 5 metres (16 ft) on the east side, and slight traces inside of roundhouses and courtyard walls. This is thought to be a re-occupation in the Romano-British period, of an Iron Age defended settlement.[1][2]

The visible remains of the earlier settlement are two ramparts: the outer is 4 metres (13 ft) wide and 0.8 metres (2 ft 7 in) high on the south and east sides, with traces of an external ditch, about 10 metres (33 ft) outside the inner rampart.[1]

Excavation

There was excavation from 1955 to 1957. Traces of a palisaded enclosure were uncovered, consisting of three concentric palisades of oak.[1] A sample was radio-carbon dated to about 580 BC: the early Iron Age.[2] Similar palisaded hilltop enclosures have been found in north-east England and southern Scotland; they are the earliest type of defended settlement in the area. They indicate that there was much woodland here at that time.[1]

The excavation also found that it was probably an iron-working site during the Romano-British period, as iron slag and a probable iron-worker's hearth were found. There were also remains of rectangular buildings, interpreted as dating from the post-Roman period.[1]

Finds from the excavation included sherds of Romano-British pottery of the 2nd to 4th century, and sherds dating to the late 5th or early 6th century.[2]

Archaeological sites nearby

References
  1. Historic England. "Huckhoe palisaded enclosure, defended settlement and Romano-British settlement, 550m north east of Bolam West Houses (1011838)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. Historic England. "Huckhoe (21056)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 21 January 2022.
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