Ancestors loved a dramatic view
Jul 10 2007 by Tony Henderson, The Journal
ANY place with a good view has always been popular – and it was no different 5,000 years ago.
Excavations on an area overlooking Durham City have uncovered a site which was probably in use from 3,000BC through to the Iron Age in 300BC.
This is the earliest dated site of its type to be found in County Durham.
Archaeologists from Tyne and Wear Museums uncovered the find on a site chosen by Northumbrian Water for a £3.5m drinking water reservoir.
The site has panoramic views overlooking Durham City, its cathedral and castle.
The dig has found evidence of continuous use of the site from the Neolithic through the Bronze age to Iron Age man.
Pottery remains and flint knives and skin scrapers have been unearthed, as well as timbers which had been shaped by Bronze Age tools and used to shore up ditches. Elsewhere, traces of Iron Age fields were found, suggesting a farmstead in the vicinity.
Gaps in ditches indicate that the site was not defended and circular features suggest that it may have been used for burials.
“There are a lot of springs on this hill and that has probably got something to do with the use of this site,” said Steve Speak, senior keeper of field archaeology with Tyne Wear Museums.
“It is a splendid site with wide panoramas and I think there is a spiritual element at work.”
Dr Colin Price, Northumbrian Water technical director, said: “We have been able to secure the supply and quality of drinking water for future generations while discovering and protecting the ancient history of Durham’s past.
“We are proud to have played our part in finding and protecting this very significant archaeological site. The new reservoir is being built in the area chosen for the least impact and everything has been carefully documented.”
Mr Speak said: “It seems the spot was reoccupied almost continuously throughout the prehistoric period.
“What is clear is that it is the earliest site of its kind in County Durham by a long way and is the earliest settled site in the city.”
Lee White, assistant archaeology officer at Durham County Council, said: “We have been consulted and involved in every decision which would have an impact on the potential archaeological remains, in the first instance, and then once the breadth and character of the site became known, we have advised on the mitigation of the impact of the development to enable the site to be preserved wherever possible.”
