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| *****SWAAG_ID***** | 14 | | Date Entered | 09/01/2011 | | Updated on | 13/12/2011 | | Recorded by | Tim Laurie | | Category | Burnt Mound | | Record Type | Archaeology | | Site Access | Private | | Location | Grinton CP. Harkerside Place. Two burnt mounds west of Whitbeck Cottage. | | Civil Parish | Grinton | | Brit. National Grid | SE 032 985 | | Altitude | 205m | | Geology | At spring rise. Fluvio glacial or glacial till over Hardraw Scar Limestone. | | Record Name | Grinton CP. Harkerside Place. Two burnt mounds west of Whitbeck Cottage. | | Record Description | Two burnt mounds, the western site being a very large site, the eastern site of medium dimensions each at different spring rises on the same spring line,in pasture.
Burnt mounds are crescentic or circular mounds of fire cracked , reddened sandstone. They vary in size from 4m to 18m diameter and can be more than 2m above present ground level.
In the Eastern Dales, their regular distribution at springs at 1-2km intervals on the Dale Sides may represent the distribution of contemporary transient settlements with which they were associated.
They are numerous throughout Britain and their distribution is not limited to the Uplands. Their use as sweat house saunas seems most probable in the absence of any evidence for cooking. Radiocarbon dates from burnt mounds have been obtained from as early as 2400CalBC to around 800 CalBC, most are of Middle Bronze Age date.
References
Laurie,T.C. 2003. Researching the Prehistory of Wensleydale, Swaledale and Teesdale, in ‘The Archaeology of Yorkshire-an assessment at the beginning of the twenty first century’. Leeds: Y.A.Soc Occ Pap 3, 223-34.
Laurie , T.C. 2004. ‘Burnt mounds in Wensleydale and Swaledale’. Leeds: Y.A.Soc Occ Pap 2,79-88.
Laurie,T.C 2007 ‘ Enigma excavations - The Sturdy Springs Burnt Mounds, October 2006’.Conservation Update. Defense Estates.
| | Dimensions | Medium, average | | Additional Notes | Dimensions.
Size: Small <6m, Medium 6m-9m, Large 10m-15m, Extra large >15m.
Height: Low <0.5m, Average 0.5-1.0m, High >1.0m.
The larger site is clearly visible under low sun from the Car Parking Verge opposite Reeth School. |
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