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Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 50461

Hob Uid: 50461
Location :
North Yorkshire
Harrogate
Blubberhouses
Grid Ref : SE1489053750
Summary : Two irregular-shaped enclosures of boulder walling - possibly denuded sheepfolds or plausibly an Iron Age settlement
More information : (Area SE 148537) Green Plain: A little to the east of
the landmark known as the Eagle Stone, and on the opposite
of the stream to Sun Bank, is a series of enclosures of
varying size, and roughly circular shape. Some of the stones
used are large, and the banks are 4ft high in places, but
there is no sign of regular walling. There are many piles of
stones which may be the remains of huts, but observation is
difficult owing to heather and bracken. At each end of the line
of enclosures remnants of walling can be found at right angles,
and crossing towards the slight rise to the south. These could
be useful for shelter and herding, and show the origin of later
rectangular enclosures. Small wasters and flint chippings found in
the vicinity suggest a prehistoric dating for the settlement
(Cowling deals with this site in a Bronze Age context). (1)

SE 14855375. Two irregular-shaped enclosures (not consistent
with Cowling's plan) each about 30.0m by 20.0m and formed in
the main by random boulder walling up to 0.8m high, although in
at least one place there is evidence of coursing. One of the
enclosures has a well-defined entrance in the SE. There are
no recognizable hut sites, but it cannot be assumed that none
existed. The enclosures are set in an area of rock and loose
boulders which shows no sign of attempted clearance for
cultivation. It is likely, therefore, that the external walling
noted by Cowling represents remnants of additional enclosures
rather than field boundaries. The age of the site is uncertain.
Its position (on low ground by a stream), and the shape of the
enclosures suggests denuded sheepfolds. Lack of firm habitation
evidence makes its acceptance as an early settlement difficult,
but this aspect cannot be dismissed, and in this case an IA
dating seems most appropriate.

Surveyed at 1:10 000. (2)

Sources :
Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : Rombalds Way 1946 111-2 plan (E T Cowling)
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :
Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details : R W Emsley/04-MAY-1976/Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigator
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Iron Age
Display Date : Iron Age
Monument End Date : 43
Monument Start Date : -800
Monument Type : Settlement
Evidence : Conjectural Evidence
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Sheep Fold
Evidence : Conjectural Evidence
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Post Medieval
Monument End Date : 1901
Monument Start Date : 1540
Monument Type : Sheep Fold
Evidence : Conjectural Evidence
Monument Period Name : Uncertain
Display Date :
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Enclosure
Evidence : Structure

Components and Objects:
Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SE 15 SW 3
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :
Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1976-05-04
End Date : 1976-05-04