Dewley Hill |
| Hob Uid: 22704 | |
Location :
Newcastle upon Tyne
Non Civil Parish
|
| Grid Ref : NZ1603068020 |
| Summary : An alleged round barrow, Dewley Hill (also known as Dewley Law, Dewley Mound) is generally regarded as a natural feature - a kaim (or kame) of glacial origin. However, a number of finds suggest that it was utilised in prehistory. Although doubts have been cast on the existence of some flints claimed to have been recovered from its surface, a fragment of a Neolithic polished stone axe plus Mesolithic cores, blades, flakes and a graver are known to have been found on or in the hill. The axe is in private possession, while the Mesolithic flints are in the Hancock Museum (Preston Collection), the Museum of the Society of Antiquaries, Newcastle Upon Tyne, and Sunderland Museum. The hill, which has been shceduled as a monument, has been reduced in size by ploughing but measured a maximum 43 metres wide and 4.2 metres high when visited by the Ordnance Survey in 1978. It has been dug into on several occasions, some by the farmer while pursuing foxes. Nothing has ever been noted to suggest anything other than a natural sand and gravel feature. |
More information : NZ 1603 6802. Dewley Hill (T.I.). Tumulus (O.E.). (1)
Dewley Law is a round gravelly hillock believed to be a tumulus. The
finding on its surface of numerous flint flakes, many of which
exhibit human workmanship is thought to confirm this view though Dr.
J. A. Smith is of the opinion that it is probably a 'kaim' a glacial
form. (2-3)
Locally known as Dewley Mound and as a burial place. Various old
people claim to have found flints and small finds on it, but they
have never proved this by showing the finds. (a)
A prominent mound 67.0m in diam and 6.2m in height, very much
ploughed down on the perimeter. (4)
Scheduled as "Burial Mound". (5)
Published survey (25") and description correct. The size and
appearance of the mound suggest it to be of natural origin and at the
time of investigation its summit had been dug into a depth of ten
feet which revealed only glacial sand and gravel. (6)
Fragment of polished stone axe found in mound, with socket edge
broken. In Sockett's possession. (7)
Dewley Hill Kaim. NZ 171 663. (Incorrect siting: see authy 1 NGR) -
'Glacial kaim used as a barrow and dwelling place'. Mesolithic
cores,blades, flakes and graver found. In Hancock Museum (Preston
Collection) and Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle and Sunderland
Museum. (8)
"Dewley Hill" is a natural glacial knoll 43.0m east/west by 41.0m
north/south and about 4.2m high. It has originally been over 50.0m
in diameter but ploughing has encroached upon its perimeter. It is turf and scrub covered with several holes dug in its flat topped
summit (about 10.0m diameter) and elsewhere about the knoll which
reveal the content of sandy gravelly earth. There is no indication
of it having been adapted as a burial mound and the local farmer
reports he has dug several feet into the summit (after foxes) and
never found anything to suggest its sepulchral use.
Published survey (25") correct.
Note - The correct reference is NZ 1603 6802. Authority 8's
reference of NZ 171 663 is incorrect as there is no hill feature at
that site. (9)
NZ 1603 6802, Dewley Law.
Additional reference with other bibliographic details. (10)
NZ 16 68, Dewley Hill, Throckley
ME material deposited with : Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle
University - 1935.22 ; Sunderland Museum - 230-1964-198 (J Weyman) (11)
Additional reference. (12)
NZ 160 680. Dewley Hill, near Throckley. Scheduled No TW/13. (13)
Scheduled (14)
All photography available to the project was examined, including the photograph referenced by Authority 10. Nothing was seen to support any suggestion that this mound might be anything other than a natural mound. Cropmarks of ring ditches surrounding and close to the monument, as shown in the above referenced photograph, are considered to be marks of an ephemeral agricultural/cultivational nature and not considered to be any justification for Scheduling this monument. (15)
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