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Viewing swaag.org website implies consent to set cookies on your computer. Full details Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group
Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1155775
SWAAG Honorary President:
Tim Laurie F,S,A,

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 *****SWAAG_ID***** 831
 Date Entered 17/08/2014
 Updated on 21/08/2014
 Recorded by Tim Laurie
 Category Enclosure
 Record Type Archaeology
 SWAAG Site Name 
 Site Type 
 Site Name 
 Site Description 
 Site Access Public Access Land
 Record Date 03/08/2014
 Location Vale of Eden. Murton CP Pennine Escarpment. Trundale Gill North Side
 Civil Parish Not known
 Brit. National Grid NY 7394 2383
 Altitude 475m
 Geology Namurian strata above the Main Limestone close to the Murton Pike Thrust Zone on the Pennine Fault
 Record Name An extensive stone banked Enclosure Complex above Trundale Gill
 Record Description This remarkable complex of four conjoined stone dump embanked conjoined curvilinear or sub rectangular enclosures is located at 475m elevation on a wide moorland terrace high above the south eastern side of Trundale Gill. The enclosures are approximately 400m*300m overall and are in part obscured by vegetation so that it proved impossible on this visit to photograph the whole complex. The details shown here are of sections of the perimeters of just two of the more prominent enclosures, noted here as enclosures 1 and 2. However the whole enclosure complex can be seen to great advantage on Google Earth, see SWAAG Record No 832. Most of the enclosure banks are very prominent being substantial banks of loose rocks some 3m wide Several sections of perimeters of the enclosures which are obscured by moorland vegetation are visible on Google Earth, see Google Earth Image, photo No 1. Structures which could be designated as buildings, ie huts, are of both circular and sub rectangular but rudimentary in form and most are all located on the perimeters of the enclosures. Some recent shelters have been constructed on these banks. There is some evidence for multi-phasing and re-forming the enclosures which may indicate a complex and lengthy chronology for this site.
 Dimensions 400m*300m estimated
 Geographical area 
 Species 
 Scientific Name 
 Common / Notable Species 
 Tree and / or Stem Girth 
 Tree: Position / Form / Status 
 Tree Site ID 0
 Associated Site SWAAG ID 0
 Additional Notes So far as I am aware, these enclosures are undated and two alternative suggestions on their purpose and dating come to mind: First, and preferred option is that these enclosures are the aggregation sites used by post medieval cattle drovers on their journey southward from Galloway. These Scots Herdsmen being tough would sleep wrapped in their plaids with their animals in the open since the area is and was then treeless no timber being available to construct even rudimentary shelters. The presence of a Galloway Stone within the boundary of Crosby Ravensworth some 10 miles to the south may reinforce this interpretation. These enclosures are at a point convenient to pause before descending from Murton Pike to Murton and so to the Vale of Eden. It is not easy to accept these enclosures as being seasonal shielings to give access to good high level grazing since being on gritstone, the soil is very acidic and the grazing very bad. This alternative use for the enclosures that these enclosures are very early-possible prehistoric shieling type stock enclosures is not favoured.
 Image 1 ID 5761         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description The enclosures extend across the whole of the wide terrace on the opposite ,southern side of Trundale Gill.
 Image 2 ID 5762         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description The substantial banks of Enclosure 1 are visible from the opposite side of Trundale Gill.
 Image 3 ID 5763         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description The enclosure extends to the edge of the terrace where much natural scree is also present.
 Image 4 ID 5764         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description The triangular spoil heap marks the presence of a lead mine high above the enclosures.
 Image 5 ID 5765         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description The upper perimeter of Enclosure 1 seen from the moorland above and view westward to the Eden Valley
 Image 6 ID 5766         Click image to enlarge
 Image 6 Description Structures on the northern perimeter of the enclosure bank.
 Image 7 ID 5767         Click image to enlarge
 Image 7 Description View from the moorland above Enclosure 1
 Image 8 ID 5768         Click image to enlarge
 Image 8 Description Recent shelters
 Image 9 ID 5769         Click image to enlarge
 Image 9 Description The NW corner of Enclosure 1
 Image 10 ID 5771         Click image to enlarge
 Image 10 Description The lower perimeter of Enclosure 1 and Murton Pike.
 Image 11 ID 5770
 Image 11 Description Northern and lower perimeter of Enclosure 1 and view to Encl. 2
 Image 12 ID 5772
 Image 12 Description Structure on perimeter of Enclosure 2.
 Image 13 ID 5773
 Image 13 Description Perimeter of Encl 2
 Image 14 ID 5774
 Image 14 Description Possible rectangular hut on perimeter of Enclosure 2
 Image 15 ID 5775
 Image 15 Description View of upper perimeters of Enclosures 1 and 2 and to the head of Trundale Gill.
 Image 16 ID 5776
 Image 16 Description Rectangular building on perimeter of Enclosure 2
 Image 17 ID 5777
 Image 17 Description Rectangular hut at SE corner of Enclosure 2
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