Summary

Flodden Edge defended settlement, 170m north of West Flodden.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 1 June 2016. This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

The monument includes the remains of an Iron Age bivallate defended settlement, situated on a south east facing slope on Flodden Edge and overlooked from the north west by King’s Chair Hill. The enclosure, which is preserved as a crop mark, is sub-square and is surrounded by a double ditch spaced roughly 10m to 15m apart. The outer ditch encloses an area of approximately 80m by 85m and both ditches bow out on the east side where there is an off-centred entrance. Also on the east side is a trapezoidal annexe, measuring approximately 70m by 50m, defined by a single ditch which is markedly narrower than the ditches of the main enclosure. The ditch of the annexe joins the main enclosure at its north west corner and also just south of the east entrance. Within the interior of the main enclosure there are at least three hut circles.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

During the earlier Iron Age (seventh to fifth centuries BC) a variety of different types of defensive settlements began to be constructed and occupied in the northern uplands of England. The most obvious sites were hillforts built in prominent locations. In addition to these a range of smaller sites, sometimes with an enclosed area of less than 1ha and defined as defended settlements, were also constructed. Some of these were located on hilltops, others are found in less prominent positions. The enclosing defences were of earthen construction, some sites having a single bank and ditch (univallate), others having more than one (multivallate). At some sites these earthen ramparts represent a second phase of defence, the first having been a timber fence or palisade. Within the enclosure a number of stone or timber-built round houses were occupied by the inhabitants. Stock may also have been kept in these houses, especially during the cold winter months, or in enclosed yards outside them. The communities occupying these sites were probably single family groups, the defended settlements being used as farmsteads. Construction and use of this type of site extended over several centuries, possibly through to the early Romano-British period (mid to late first century AD). Defended settlements are a rare monument type. They were an important element of the later prehistoric settlement pattern of the northern uplands and are important for any study of the developing use of fortified settlements during this period.

The monument is preserved as a cropmark and analysis of aerial photographs has revealed the presence of below ground features, such ditches and the remains of round houses, which will contain archaeological deposits relating to its construction, use and abandonment. The monument is representative of its period and provides insight into the character of settlement and subsistence during the Iron Age period.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:- 3941

Source: Historic England