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Deserted village is a medieval settlement site located in Durham, England, that has been abandoned since the post-medieval period. The site preserves archaeological remains of a once-functioning village community, with earthworks and surface features indicative of domestic occupation, agricultural activity, and settlement patterns typical of medieval rural England. Such deserted villages represent important evidence for understanding demographic change, economic upheaval, and land use transformation during and after the medieval period, when many English villages were depopulated through enclosure, plague impact, or economic reorganisation. The site's archaeological character and survival make it a significant resource for studying the material culture and settlement history of medieval Durham and the wider northern English landscape.
Deserted village is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1002335. View the official record →
Deserted village is a medieval settlement site located in Durham, England, that has been abandoned since the post-medieval period. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1002335.
Deserted village is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1002335.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Coatham Mundeville medieval village, fishpond and areas of rig and furrow (4 km), Ketton Bridge (4.8 km), Middleham Castle (7.3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Deserted village's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Deserted village stands on Zechstein Group, bedrock that formed in the Late Permian. The rock here is dolomitised limestone and dolomite.