Record Details

Summary

A large, semi-circular mound located to the north-west of Caverswall. It is thought to be a medieval motte, although is known locally as a Roman soldiers burial ground and has also been identified as a barrow. An enclosure to the south-west (PRN 50666) may be associated with the motte.

Monument Type(s):

• MOTTE (MEDIEVAL - 1066 AD? to 1485 AD?)

Associated Events:

• EST3216 - An archaeological excavation at Swan Bank, Cookshill, Caverswall before 1908. (NRHE Name - Swan Bank)

Protected Status:

Full description

Enclosure: An oval enclosure immediately to the south-west of Swan Bank. A mound of unknown origin. Ditch seems to be similar in width to that around the mound. Are they part of the same feature? Motte. A large flat topped circular mound surrounded by a well defined and comparatively deep ditch. All the attributes of a bowl barrow but negative excavation evidence. Not a barrow. Medieval moated site, known locally as a burial ground appears to be a motte in low lying, wet ground. <1>

Excavation revealed no finds. <2>

An oval enclosure lies immediately to the south-west. <3>

Located to the north-west of Caverswall. Not a barrow. (SB, 07-Apr-2004) <5>

A large semi-circular mound known locally as a Roman soldiers burial ground. The height to the top is 15 feet, across the top it measures 70 feet and around the base 203 feet (approximately). It has a narrow ditch encircling it. Scraps of Samian ware have been found in the vicinity and the mound is located within half a mile of a main Roman road. (SB, 07-Apr-2004) <6>

A large flat-topped mound surrounded by a well defined and comparatively deep ditch (see plan). Although it has all the attributes of large bowl barrow negative excavation evidence means its origin, date and purpose remain in question (1951). This is not a barrow, but a medieval moated site which is known locally as a Roman Soldiers Burial Ground. Scraps of Samian ware have bee found in the vicinity (1971). It appears to be a motte in wet, low lying ground (1974). (SB, 07-Apr-2004) <7>

Identified in the Victoria County History as an early burial mound or low, circular in plan and measuring 139 feet in diameter and 10 feet high. An excavation made through each direction and at the foot of the mound found nothing. (SB, 07-Apr-2004) <8>

Sources and further reading

<1>	SST390 - Index: Ordnance Survey. See cards. Ordnance Survey Card Index. SJ 94 SW - 9 a & b.
<2>	SST3636 - Published Book: The Victoria History of the Counties of England. 1908. (VCH volume 1) A History of the County of Stafford, Volume I. Volume 1 - page 375.
<3>	SST144 - Aerial Photograph: National Monument Record. 1970s-1980s. National Monument Record Aerial Photograph Collection. Black and White. Oblique. SJ 9443/1 & SJ 9443/2 (13th July 1984).
<4>	SST1231 - Serial: North Staffordshire Field Club. 1912. Transactions of the North Staffordshire Field Club Volume XLVI (1911-1912). Volume 46 (1911-1912) page 140 (by C. Lynam).
<4>	SST4741 - Serial: North Staffordshire Field Club. 1912. Transactions of the North Staffordshire Field Club Volume 47 (1913). Volume 46 (1911-1912) page 140 (by C. Lynam).
<5>	SST2068 - Serial: University of Keele. 1965. North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies Volume 5 (1965). 'An Archaeological Gazetteer of Staffordshire: Part 2' by A.J.H. Gunstone, p35 - Caverswall No. 2.
<6>	SST3824 - Index: Keele University. Keele University Card Index. SJ 94/3.
<7>	SST390 - Index: Ordnance Survey. See cards. Ordnance Survey Card Index. SJ 94 SW - 9 a & b (includes plan).
<8>	SST3636 - Published Book: The Victoria History of the Counties of England. 1908. (VCH volume 1) A History of the County of Stafford, Volume I. Page 375.

Related records

50666

Parent of: Cropmark Enclosure, Swan Bank, Caverswall (Monument)

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