More information : TF 051963. A DMV site at Thornton-le-Moor ploughed and bulldozed in
1964. Surface finds included Saxon hand-made pottery, Lincoln-Torksey
ware, other 8/9th to 16th century pottery, also some RB rims and
sherds. (1)
This site is under young crop but there are (unsurveyable) surface
disturbances in the area typical of ploughed desertion.
The finds were made by Mr & Mrs R Russell who retain the finds. (2)
An interpretation and transcription of remains visible on good
quality air photographs at Thornton le Moor, indicate they form
part of an extensive Medieval and Post-Medieval linear settlement,
extending N-S over approximately 3.5kms. Documentary research,
suggests that at least nine separate nuclei existed, forming a
polyfocal layout (3a). To the NW of Thornton le Moor, lies the
hamlet of Beasthorpe (see TF 09 NW 15) and to the SE the hamlet
of Cauthorpe (see TF 09 NE 22). Further south in the parish of
Owersby are other remains representing more of these settlement
nuclei (see TF 09 NE 18 & TF 09 SE 40).
The features recorded at Thornton le Moor extend for 450m from
TF 0498 9655 to TF 0525 9610, visible as earthworks in early
photographs, but levelled and visible as cropmarks in later
photographs. The main elements are a series of E-W hollow ways,
best illustrated by the area centred at TF 0525 9618, flanked by
a group of conjoined, rectangular, ditched enclosures, on average
80m by 40m, interpreted as crofts. There are several square or
rectangular pits at TF 0526 9615, TF 0522 9615 and TF 0528 9620,
interpreted as trenches of robbed buildings. To the NW of the crofts,
centred at TF 0503 9630 is large complex of at least 11 rectangular
pits also interpreted as buildings. This area is bounded by hollow
ways to the N, W and E. West of this group of buildings, centred at
TF 0490 9635, is a another group of enclosures, interpreted as
crofts and larger field enclosures. Two ponds were also recorded
within the fields at TF 0495 9653 and TF 0495 9637.
(Morph No. LI.504.2.1-11)
This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database.
(3) |