SWAAG FEATURE RECORD SHEET
Greater Hagg and Sorrel Sykes Farms
SWAAG Site/Feature Reference: Site 100
Site Name:
Co-ordinates
Brit. Nat. Grid:
Field Number
and Name:
Site/feature description:
Archaeological and
contextual notes:
West Hagg Front Field Settlement
SE05471, 98938. 223mAOD.
4792
See 1:2000 and 1:500 Survey Plans, Figures 01,02.
Enclosed hillslope platform settlement comprising a total of seven ovoid or
circular platforms (100/01-07) within a narrow elongate triangular shaped
enclosure measuring some 50m*25m overall. A further platform (100/08) is
located a few metres to the east of this enclosure. The enclosure is approached
from the south and east by narrow track ways and is bounded on the west side by
a substantial, av 2m high, lynchet scarp. surmounted by a modern field wall.
In situ and tumbled stone indicate that this lynchet was probably originally stone
faced as a retaining wall.
The enclosure is bounded on the lower eastern side by a slight lynchet which
indicates the less steep slope was cultivated right up to the edge of the settlement.
Site 100 is one of seven scooped platform settlements located within the present
pastures of West hag and Sorrel Sikes Farms. These settlements are directly
associated with a coaxial field system (Site 200) defined by strongly lynchetted
and stone embanked boundaries. These settlements (Sites 100-106) together with
the field system (Site 200) together form an open ‘Township’ or Village type
settlement east of High Fremington on the lower dale side with the settlements
situated on more steeply rising ground just above their contemporary fields
running down towards the flood plain.
The close similarity apparent between this dispersed ‘township’ landscape to that
to the east of Healaugh (Fleming and Laurie1983-1994, Fleming 1998) together
with the presence of two beehive querns from stone walls near settlement sites
supports the supposition that this settlement complex was probably established
during the Late Prehistoric Iron Age and during the period of the Roman
Occupation.
The platforms all seem to have supported circular structures and there is no direct
surface evidence in the form of rectangular stone founded buildings or finds of
medieval pottery sherds to indicate medieval reoccupation on these settlements.
Nevertheless, the West Hag and Sorrrel Sikes Pastures are among the
Best areas of cultivated land in Mid Swaledale and it would be wrong to conclude
anything other than that these pastures have been cultivated at intervals
throughout recorded history. The height of the lynchetted field boundaries
supports a very lengthy period of occupation.
The presence of very slight lynchets close to the base of the earlier lynchets
together with scattered sherds of 19C transfer decorated pottery points to a short
period of recent reoccupation.