Benwell, bell pits

HER Number:
16262

District:
Newcastle

Site Name:
Benwell, bell pits

Place:
Benwell

Map Sheet:
NZ26SW

Class:
Industrial

Site Type: Broad:
Mineral Pit

Site Type: Specific:
Bell Pit

General Period:
Medieval

Specific Period:

Form of Evidence:
Subterranean Feature

Description:
Evidence for early coal mining was identifed during excavations at Sunnybank Avenue, Benwell. Two possible bell pits and extensive drift mining galleries (HER 16263) were revealed dating to the medieval and/or early post-medieval period. One bell pit measures over 4m by 2.65m and was partially excavated to a depth of 1.4m. The other was 9m by 6m and over 1.5m deep - it as not possible to fully excavate either pit.

Easting:
2155

Northing:
6436

Grid Reference:
NZ21556436

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
Archaeological Services University of Durham, 2014, Sunnybank Avenue, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne - archaeological works