Whitley Romano-British Settlement
Location/Address
Whitley, Wharncliffe Moor
Type
Other site, structure or landscape
Assets that cannot fit any of the other categories. This category includes sites of archaeological interest, where the original form and function may not be apparent without the use of archaeological techniques and interpretation.
Description
Whitley (also known as Whitley Church) settlement lies on Wharncliffe Moor at 850-925ft OD, above the crags that are well-known for quern manufacture. The site is one of several similar ones in the area and was investigated in the 1950s; it was identified as domestic and agricultural remains covering about 12 acres. At least 3 rectangular enclosures with double orthostat and rubble walls, and rounded corners at the eastern end, were recorded, with lynchets attached to the north-eastern corner and large clearance cairns. There is also a D-shaped enclosure.
Excavation of one rectangular enclosure by LH Butcher revealed it to be 30ft wide by 60ft long internally, with the entrance on the east paved with small cobble stones. Pottery found scattered across the site suggested a mid 2nd to mid 3rd century AD date.
(Makepiece, GA 1985 Transactions of the Hunter Archaeological Society 13 34-41)
Statement of Significance
Asset type
An archaeological site spread over a large area - only a small part has been excavated, but the layout is visible on the ground.Age
Pottery finds suggest the remains date to the mid 2nd to the mid 3rd centuries.Rarity
The site's remote location means less disturbance and it looks fairly intact. There are other probably contemporary sites nearby but they are less visible and less accessible.Architectural and Artistic Interest
The structures provide evidence of building styles and possible uses, such as stock enclosures.Archaeological Interest
The site has hardly been investigated and could reveal much about rural lifestyles in the Romano-British period.Images and Documents
Date Listed
16 Apr 2024
Last Updated
02 Aug 2023
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