"We were shocked to discover such a huge complex," said Alastair Oswald, archaeological field investigator for English Heritage. Preliminary examinations Read more
This earthwork was partially excavated in 1870, these revealed the foundations for a Roman villa of obvious opulence. It's final Read more
The field systems at Reeth are particularly noted for their historical coaxial layout, and are characterized by long, parallel boundaries that run across the landscape, a pattern indicative of significant central organization and planning. The existence of such extensive field systems suggests a highly structured society with considerable agricultural activity. Dating back to the Iron Age and the Romano-British period, these field systems are part of a broader landscape of small farmsteads and fields that once dotted the area. The coaxial field boundaries, often defined by stone banks or lynchets, are aligned at right angles to the slope, creating a distinctive geometric pattern visible in the terrain. This alignment facilitated the management of water run-off and soil erosion, essential for the cultivation of crops in the hilly terrain of Swaledale. The field systems extend across the pastures of modern farms and reach up to the moorlands, indicating the expansive nature of these ancient agricultural practices. The field systems near Reeth, particularly those on the higher elevations like Fremington Edge, have largely been preserved, allowing for a glimpse into the prehistoric landscape. Research conducted by the Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group (SWAAG) has provided valuable insights into the age of the field systems found at Reeth. The Fremington Project, specifically, has focused on an open settlement landscape of Late Prehistoric/Romano-British character centred on the pastures of Hagg Farm, near Reeth. This landscape includes a complex of small farms and fields, which are part of a coaxial field system, characterized by parallel boundaries sharing a common axis. Although these settlements have not been dated by excavation, their resemblance to other Late Prehistoric/Romano-British landscapes in the region suggests a similar time frame. Additionally, the archaeological landscapes of Reeth Moor have been studied, revealing a Palimpsest of sites from various periods, including the Post-Glacial period through to the Native Roman and Medieval times. For a broader understanding of England's field systems, a project funded by Historic England has collated and analysed scientific dates from over 120 excavated field systems, providing a comprehensive overview of the chronologies involved.
A cast pewter double loop annular shoe buckle, 22.2mm in diameter and of late medieval to early post medieval date (c. 15th-16th century). The frame has a beaded rim. The strap bar has a worn notch at [...]
A post Medieval copper alloy trader's farthing issued in Postern Gate (Cripplegate), London. Obverse: a bell, AT. THE. YEARNE. SHOP. Reverse: D • C, AT • THE • POSTERN • GATE. As Williamson (London) 2261. [...]
An incomplete cast copper alloy Roman Colchester derivative brooch of the Harlow double-lug type, dating from c. AD 20-100. The wings, which are C-shaped in section, the spring and approximately half of the bow survive; [...]
A fragment of a cast copper alloy button probbly of post-medieval date. The button has a simple line around the outer edge; no other decoration is visible. The reverse is slightly concaved and the edge [...]
An incomplete iron mount of probable medieval date. The mount is formed of a thin sheet of iron; the rearward end is now broken and distorted. The mount is broadly triangular in plan with the [...]
A complete but now crushed pressed copper alloy mount of probable modern date, c. 19th / early 20th century. The mount was originally cruciform in shape, with each arm terminating in an equal armed cross with [...]
A cimplete cast copper square coin weight dating to the late Georgian period, c. 1760-1773. The weight has 10:6 stamped on one side, representing 10 shillings and six pence - interestingly the 1 is upside [...]
A complete flint scraper of Neolithic to early Bronze Age date, c. 4000-2100 BC. The scaper has been formed on a tertiary flake of a mottled blue/black flint which has limited surface re-patination. The striking [...]
A silver Scottish cut farthing of William I 'The Lion' (AD 1164-1214), dating to the period c. AD 1205-1230 (Short Cross Phase B). Stuck in Roxburgh. Spink 2003 no. 5023. [...]
A silver cut farthing of Henry II (AD 1154-1189) dating to the period AD 1180-1185. Class 1a-1b (probably the latter). Struck by the moneyer Rodbert/Rodberd at an uncertain mint. North N962-963. [...]
A cast copper alloy Medieval annular brooch, circa 13th-15th century. The frame is 22mm in diameter, plano-convex in cross section and decorated with seven moulded oval lobes; an eighth lobe is divided by a constriction for a pin, [...]
An incomplete cast copper alloy Roman brooch of Trumpet type (Mackreth (2011) Chapter 5, Part 1, TR 3.3a, Plate 86 number 14176) dating to c. AD 80 - 200. The head is missing; the bow [...]
A copper-alloy Roman nummus of Constantine II (AD 317-337) dating to AD 324-5 (Reece Period 16). PROVIDENTIAE CAESS reverse type depicting camp gateway with two towers and star in between. Mint of London. RIC Vol 7( p.116) No. 296.Note: [...]
A worn silver soldino of Doge Tommaso Mocenigo of Venice (AD 1414 - 1423). Venice mint, mint control mark: star above F. S MARCVS VENETI reverse type depicting the winged lion of St. Mark facing within a [...]
A Medieval silver groat of Edward III (1327 - 1377), dating to AD 1352-3. Fourth coinage, pre-treaty, series D. Mint of London. North (1991: 50) No. 1152.The coin was restored by the finder before recording. [...]
A copper alloy buckle plate of Medieval to post Medieval date, comprising a rectangular strip of metal which was folded around the strap bar on the buckle frame (now missing). The plate was retained with a [...]
A Roman copper alloy nummus of Constantius II, dating to AD 347-348 (Reece Period 17). VICTORIAE D D AVG GQ NN reverse type depicting two victories holding wreaths, standing facing each other. Mint of Trier. AS LRBC Vol I [...]
An Early Medieval silver Primary Phase sceatta of Series D (type 2c D210) dating c. AD 700-715.Obverse: crude radiate bust right, with V O behind head. Reverse: cross pommee with pellets in angles, Vs around. I O [...]
Medieval copper-alloy annular brooch, featuring two raised collets with missing glass or gem settings. The frame is otherwise complete and a little over half of the pin survives in situ. The frame is oval and [...]
An incomplete copper alloy post medieval pipe tamper of a pedestal style or an incomplete spoon handle, dating to c. AD 1700 - 1800. Only the terminal remains, which is flat, circular and undecorated. Below this is circumferential collar, this expands [...]
The field systems at Reeth are particularly noted for their historical coaxial layout, and are characterized by long, parallel boundaries that run across the landscape, a pattern indicative of significant central organization and planning. The existence of such extensive field systems suggests a highly structured society with considerable agricultural activity. 
Dating back to the Iron Age and the Romano-British period, these field systems are part of a broader landscape of small farmsteads and fields that once dotted the area. The coaxial field boundaries, often defined by stone banks or lynchets, are aligned at right angles to the slope, creating a distinctive geometric pattern visible in the terrain. 
This alignment facilitated the management of water run-off and soil erosion, essential for the cultivation of crops in the hilly terrain of Swaledale. The field systems extend across the pastures of modern farms and reach up to the moorlands, indicating the expansive nature of these ancient agricultural practices. The field systems near Reeth, particularly those on the higher elevations like Fremington Edge, have largely been preserved, allowing for a glimpse into the prehistoric landscape. 
Research conducted by the Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group (SWAAG) has provided valuable insights into the age of the field systems found at Reeth. The Fremington Project, specifically, has focused on an open settlement landscape of Late Prehistoric/Romano-British character centred on the pastures of Hagg Farm, near Reeth. This landscape includes a complex of small farms and fields, which are part of a coaxial field system, characterized by parallel boundaries sharing a common axis. Although these settlements have not been dated by excavation, their resemblance to other Late Prehistoric/Romano-British landscapes in the region suggests a similar time frame. Additionally, the archaeological landscapes of Reeth Moor have been studied, revealing a Palimpsest of sites from various periods, including the Post-Glacial period through to the Native Roman and Medieval times. For a broader understanding of England's field systems, a project funded by Historic England has collated and analysed scientific dates from over 120 excavated field systems, providing a comprehensive overview of the chronologies involved.
