| Description | The O.S. described the site in 1964 as a sub rectangular earthwork with one ditch and possible internal traverse. (cf.Watson refers to VCH description of 2 ditches on N.side). O.S. reported that the site was badly mutilated by quarrying and water courses and in generally poor condition.
The site was trialled by Halifax Antiq.Soc. in 1951 but the excavation was not fully published; a summary of the results written by G. Watson, has been made available by John Gilks:
Two sections were dug: section A (8' by 47') through the north ditch, cut through the outer rampart (c.6' wide) and ditch (c.11' 8 wide). Section B (16' by 31') was cut below the western entrance towards the centre; three stone packed postholes and pottery described as 'Brigantian' were found in the central area.
The site was visited Nov.1989; the earthwork was covered in thick tufty grass and was difficult to see properly. It is best preserved on the northern side where the site of a trial excavation trench is still visible (Halifax Ant. Soc.'s 'Section A'?). On the southeast side, the earthwork has been cut by a track and disturbed by quarrying and its course is difficult to ascertain. The site has also been encroached on by later field walls. There is no sign of any internal features such as hut circles.
English Heritage Scheduling Description for SAM 31485:
The monument includes a 'D' Shaped late prehistoric enclosed settlement, situated on Ovenden Moor, at the Carrs, 500m north west of Goose Clough.
The enclosure is approximately 88m long and 80m wide, and is formed by a ditch with both internal and external banks. The ditch is about 4m wide on 0.5m deep. The inner bank is approximately 3m wide on 0.5m high. The outer bank is 4m wide and attains a maximum height of 1m. A natural drainage channel interupts the ditch and banks on the west side of the enclosure. On the south and east sides, parts of the ditch and bank have been removed by stone quarrying, and part is obscured by a track to a small building. The inside of the enclosure is partly subdivided by a bank and ditch running part way across the enclosure from the north edge. There is a small earth mound in the approximate centre of the enclosure, and a small rectangular depression close by. The feature may result from excavations in 1951 which recovered prehistoric pottery. |