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Historic England Research Records

Burwains Camp

Hob Uid: 46151
Location :
Lancashire
Burnley
Briercliffe
Grid Ref : SD9023035220
Summary : Iron Age circular defended settlement enclosure surviving as an earthwork, possibly unfinished; limited excavation in 1950 recovered a Neolithic axe fragment and worked flint and chert flakes.
More information : (SD 90243522) Camp (NR) (1)

SD 903352. A circular hill top enclosure at Broadbank,
Briercliffe, consisting of a roughly level area 150 feet in
diameter enclosed by a continuous shallow ditch and external
bank, was excavated by Powell in 1950 (see plan). Underneath
and sealed by the bank on the east side was a hearth but with
no associated artifacts or evidence of prolonged use. In the
central area there were no indications of any original activity
except for a small hearth south west of the centre point. There
was an unrecorded excavation, probably 19th century, at the
centre. Traces of burning and charcoal apparently due to burnt
vegatation were seen in a problematical area in the south east
quadrant. A small number of poor quality flint and chert
flakes and spawls were found scattered over the site and on the
old ground surface. A stone axe, shown by petrological
examination to be of Lake District origin from Great Langdale
(Neolithic), was also found on top of the original bank under
the modern turf line on the east side. Because of their
situation the flints and axe cannot be definitely associated
with the construction of the enclosure. Powell believed from the
nature of the site that it was prehistoric and may well have
been abandoned for some unknowable reason before being brought
into use. (2)

Re-surveyed at 1:2500. (3)

Listed by Challis and Harding as a circular earthwork
enclosure (Iron Age). (4)

SD 9023 3522. Burwains Camp prehistoric defended settlement W of
Broad Bank Hill. Scheduled RSM No 27677. A circular enclosure
c.45m in diameter surrounded by an inner ditch c.0.3m wide and
0.25m deep and an outer bank c.2m wide and up to 0.3m high.
There are opposed entrances through the bank and across the ditch
on the W and E sides. The Neolithic Great Langdale axe was found
in an unstratified context. (5)

Sources :
Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 6" 1915
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Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details : T Lancs & Ches HS 104 1952 145-52 plan (T G E Powell)
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Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details : F1 FDC 24-FEB-59
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Source Number : 4
Source :
Source details : BAR 20 pt 2 1975 - Later Prehist from Trent to Tyne 48 (A J Challis & D W Harding)
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Source Number : 5
Source :
Source details : English Heritage Scheduling Amendment 12/12/95
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Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Neolithic
Display Date : Neolithic
Monument End Date : -2200
Monument Start Date : -4000
Monument Type : Findspot
Evidence : Find
Monument Period Name : Iron Age
Display Date : Iron Age
Monument End Date : 43
Monument Start Date : -800
Monument Type : Circular Enclosure, Enclosed Settlement
Evidence : Earthwork

Components and Objects:
Period : Neolithic
Component Monument Type : Findspot
Object Type : AXEHEAD
Object Material :

Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : LA 70
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 27677
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SD 93 NW 8
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :
Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1950-01-01
End Date : 1950-12-31
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1959-02-24
End Date : 1959-02-24
Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1974-01-01
End Date : 1975-12-31