More information : NZ 1224 6657. Earthwork (L.B.) (1)
Houghton is one of a small category of earthworks which, in general, are circular or oval in form, and are situated on slopes. They have an internal area consistent with other forts and settlements, and are usually univallate, with an internal mound, median ditch, and counterscarp bank. They possess few other distinguishing features; some may be merely stock enclosures. (2)
Both inner and outer banks, where still apparent, are very slight, and the ditch is largely silted up, except for the north side where it attains a depth of 1.3m. Opposing entrances in the east and west sides are probably original. There are no internal features. Quite clearly the earthwork pre-dates the surrounding Medieval field system,but there is little other dating evidence. OS 25" survey revised. (3)
Listed by Challis and Harding as a slight univallate hill slope enclosure (Iron Age). (4)
NZ 123 666. Heddon-on-the-Wall. Listed in a gazetteer of British hillforts as a ?univallate structure enclosing 1.1ha. (5)
NZ 122 666. Houghton camp near Heddon-on-the-Wall. Scheduled No ND/159. (6)
The enclosure survives as earthworks and is visible on air photographs, centred at NZ 1224 6657. It has medieval ridge and furrow within the enclosure and surrounding it (see NZ 16 NW 124). It has an inner an outer bank an opposed entrances as described above. It lies north of the River Tyne. (7)
Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (8) |