Romano-British farmstead, NE of Sharpley

...homesteads were being constructed and used by non-Roman natives throughout the period of the Roman occupation. Their origins lie in settlement forms developed before the arrival of the Romans. These homesteads are common throughout the uplands where they frequently survive as well-preserved earthworks. In lowland coastal areas they were also originally common, although there they can frequently only be located through aerial photography. All homestead sites which survive substantially intact will normally be identified as nationally important.

Despite some damage from surface quarrying, the site at Sharpley survives well and is a good example of a small farmstead. It is one of a group of native prehistoric settlements in the vicinity of Hadrian's Wall and will contribute to study of the wider settlement pattern at this time.

The monument includes the site of a farmstead of Romano-British date situated on the end of a low ridge with extensive views to the north, east and west. The small rectangular enclosure is orientated east-west and measures a maximum of 53m by 25m within a single rampart of earth and stone. The rampart is on average 4m wide and varies in height from 0.3 to 0.6m. There is a large gap in the perimeter bank at the north-east corner where an entrance may have existed. Within the enclosure the circular depressions of two prehistoric buildings are visible, both with entrances to the east.