Davyshiel Bastle, Otterburn

Has been described as a Possible Bastle

There are masonry footings remains

NameDavyshiel Bastle, Otterburn
Alternative Names
Historic CountryNorthumberland
Modern AuthorityNorthumberland
1974 AuthorityNorthumberland
Civil ParishOtterburn

Substantial remains of a ruined farmstead and garth on east side of Hopefoot Road. Two ruined buildings, i) 10m x 5m with two rooms of unequal size and east facing entrance; ii) 15m x 4m with one room. A third building, 150m to the south east, measures 10m x 3m with two rooms of unequal size and south facing entrance (NY 888960). Associated with a large stone-walled enclosure, sod casts, three crop pits and a corn-drying kiln(?). The corn-drying kiln measures 4m diameter by 0.35m deep (Charlton and Day 1977).

An extensive medieval and later field system with two settlement centres. A topographic and partial geophysical survey were carried out and a walkover survey. The topographic survey noted the remains of a complex group of earthworks which might incorporate a corn-drying kiln, a small farmstead and stock enclosure, associated with extensive fields of broad ridge and furrow cultivation, the remnants of a probable bastle and associated stone-faced enclosure banks. The footings of two stone buildings and a large oval enclosure are interpreted as the core of a small farmstead and lie to the south west of the earthworks. The ridge and furrow cultivation lies to the east of the farmstead and suggests a medieval date for the complex. To the south of the farmstead is a wall, 1.4m thick, which is interpreted as a possible previously unrecorded bastle. The geophysical survey did not produce any strong results and nothing of archaeological significance was noted (UNLUAU 1996).

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY887961
Latitude55.2589416503906
Longitude-2.17891001701355
Eastings388700
Northings596100
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Journals

  • Hale, D., 2007, 'Archaeology on the Otterburn Training Area, 2002-2007' Archaeologia Aeliana (ser5) Vol. 36 p. 31-77 esp 61-67

Other

  • Anon, 2006, Otterburn Army Training Estate, Northumberland. Condition survey survey, volume 1: conditions survey report. Unpublished Northern Archaeological Associates report, NAA 06/32 (37, no 27)
  • University of Newcastle and Lancaster University Archaeological Unit, 1996, Otterburn Training Area, Northumberland. Archaeological Evaluation Final Report. (36-8, Gazetteer site numbers DS01-DS101)
  • Charlton, D.B. and Day, J.C., 1977, An Archaeological Survey of the Ministry of Defence Training Area, Otterburn, Northumberland. Unpublished (82 no 364,123 no 602,103 no 532)