Monument Number 20275 |
| Hob Uid: 20275 | |
Location :
Northumberland
Stocksfield
|
| Grid Ref : NZ0555058020 |
| Summary : The site of an alleged Roman fortlet. Earlier Mesolithic and Neolithic flints have been found on the site and there was reportedly a barrow near the site, which was removed. Originally interpreted as a Roman fortlet after excavations by Hildyard in 1951 the site was re-excavated in 1974-5 by K Greene and S Speak. Two phases of Roman occupation were found on the site; the first was a 2nd century AD timber hut circle within a double ditched enclosure and the second a 3rd to 4th century stone built phase. The site has been reinterpreted as a native Romano-British farmstead although a military role for the site has not been ruled out. The site is under pasture but earthworks are still visible. |
More information : (NZ 05555802) Roman Fortlet (GSC) (1)
A 4th c Roman Fortlet excavated by Hildyard in 1951. It was enclosed
by a double ditch and had a causewayed entrance in the NE.
The inner ditch enclosed a rectangular area 116' x 108' the N.S. axis
being the slightly longer corners were rounded. There were no signs
of either wall or rampart but an internal foundation trench was found irregular in plan measuring 60 x 68 x 60 x 58 ft now a confused jumble of stone.
Numerous potsherds indicated occupation positively throughout the 4th
The site is incorrectly shown by the OS there being a nearly 30x
Western inclination proved by excavation.
Horsley (1732) mentions a tumulus near this site but it seems to have
disappeared. (2-3)
The tumulus have been removed but the fort is still traceable. The
spot is called Castle Hill. (4)
The fortlet is situated on the crest of a ridge a little above the 400 foot contour with a good view in all directions except the west where the slightly higher summit of the ridge intervenes.
Although now under pasture the earthwork is badly mutilated by the
plough. The enclosed area is visible as a sub-rectangular platform
with a wide ditch enclosing the southern half. There is no visible
trace of the second ditch or of the NE entrance or any internal
features.
The fortlet commands the nearby Dere Street at a point where it makes
a sharp turn. The nearest water supply is a small stream 200.0. to the SE. There was no sign of a tumulus. Surveyed at 1/2500 (5).
Condition unchanged. Published survey (25") correct. (6) (5-7)
NZ 056581 Alleged "Roman Fortlet" at Apperley Dene was re-excavated by
K Greene and S Speak in 1974-75 who revealed two structural phases.
Phase I was rectilinear farmstead consisting of a double-ditched
enclosure with timber gateway through its bank and at least one
internal round timber house. Pottery and structural indications
confirmed a short occupations for this phase entirely within the 2nd
century A.D.
Phase II was a re-occupation of the site in the 3rd century A.D. when
a new ditch was constructed inside the "main" ditch of Phase I and
internal stone structures were built. Thorough demolition associated
with burning and freshly broken pottery occurred in the mid-4th century A.D. and it seemed reasonable to assume that Phase II represented a stone-built native settlement although a military function could not be entirely ruled out. The site was not re-occupied after circa 370 A.D. A small collection of late Mesolithic and early Neolithic flints were also discovered on the site. (8)
Area under pasture but outline (though much reduced) is still evident
otherwise as described by authorities 4 5 and 6.
Published Survey (1:2500) Correct. (9)
A description of the site can be found on the Northumberland HER. (10)
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