Blackhall Mill, road of tree trunks

HER Number:
5191

District:
Gateshead

Site Name:
Blackhall Mill, road of tree trunks

Place:
Blackhall Mill

Map Sheet:
NZ15NW

Class:
Transport

Site Type: Broad:
Road Transport Site

Site Type: Specific:
Road

General Period:
Medieval

Specific Period:

Form of Evidence:
Structure

Description:
During the course of a watching brief in 1991 during the excavation of a sewer trench, a road constructed of tree trunks was found. Three trunks were observed, 1.5 metres below ground level, each circa 50cm in diameter and 3.8 metres long. The road may have been used for the removal of timber from Chopwell Woods. The woods date to the 12th century. Chopwell oaks were used at the castles of Norham, Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh, and by the navy for shipbuilding. Large quantities of bark were supplied to the tanneries of Newcastle.

Easting:
121

Northing:
570

Grid Reference:
NZ121570

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
<< HER 5191 >> A. H. Reed, 1993, New Sewage Pipe Line Ebchester to Blackhall Mill, Watching Brief report