More information : Area NT 893068. The remains of a small deserted village
discovered during field investigation. It is situated on the
near-level terrace of a promontory formed by a loop in the River
Coquet. The SW and SE sides are bounded by the very steep and rocky
banks of the river.
The traces consist of stony banks bounding the NW and NE sides and
dividing the area into enclosures. At least sixteen rectangular
building foundations could be identified, some with internal
divisions. At the extreme north corner of the village the foundations
of one of the buildings has been exposed, showing a fragment of dry
stone walling 0.6m thick. A heap of stones on the NW side of the area
includes two dressed blocks. There is also some modern brick
scattered over the area but they are not in situ and appear unused.
In the south corner of the village is a small rectangular area
bounded on the SW and SE sides by the steep banks
of the river and on the other two sides by a ditch-like
depression. Isolated from the remainder of the village,it was
possibly a place of refuge.
There are traces of a trackway running northwards from the east
corner of the village towards the flood plain of the river.
Local enquiries revealed no knowledge of a name for this village
or of the date and reason for desertion.
The building steadings are similar to many others found in the
moorland areas many of which were probably associated with the
extensive cultivation of marginal lands in the region, the period
of which has not been ascertained.(1)
Parts of one house was revealed in 1967; there appeared to have
been three periods of occupation, and pottery evidence suggests that
it fell into disuse in the 16c., being replaced by a smaller
building which had collapsed by 1600.(2)
The remains are as described by F1 except on the NW side
where they have been slightly reduced by encroaching cultivation.
Surveyed at 6" scale. (3)
NT 895 070. Medieval settlement 1/3 mile (530m) N of Linbriggs.
Scheduled No ND/400. (4)
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