A survey of longhouse structures in the Duddon Valley, Cumbria

This paper describes the results of field and documentary archaeological investigations of 39 farming-related structures in the Duddon Valley, Cumbria, some of which have been identified as probably medieval longhouses. Of the five best-preserved structures, four are of the classic two-celled longhouse type, while one is single-celled and may represent a temporarily-occupied shieling. In four cases, several structures are arranged into small settlements. The surveys were conducted by trained volunteers from the Duddon Valley Local History Group under the guidance of professional archaeologists from the Lake District National Park and the National Trust, although this paper is the responsibility of the authors alone. The paper concludes with recommendations for the protection of the sites, and for the excavation of some structures. OA