Description

In April 2008 an archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Channel 4’s ‘Time Team’ at the site of Castle Farm in Scargill, County Durham (NGR 405370 510727). This site is the location of the Scargill Castle, a fortified house of believed medieval origins (Scheduled Ancient Monument, No. 32730).
Restoration work on the upstanding gatehouse had already dated this building to the 15th or 16th century, and several features such as blocked-up windows and a fireplace can be seen to have been incorporated into the modern walls and farm buildings. An evaluation comprising seven trenches, as well as some further exploration of the gatehouse, confirmed two periods of use of the manor house. In the 12th-14th century the residence appears to have had a defensive function, with a large curtain wall and a barmkin (walled enclosure) to the south-east. After an apparent hiatus in occupation the manor appears to have been reoccupied and substantially modified in the 15th-16th century. During this period the gatehouse was built, portions of the curtain wall were demolished and a ground floor hall was constructed. The house seems to have fallen into disuse in the early 18th century.
No features earlier than the medieval period were found during this investigation.