In 1932-33 a number of prehistoric artifacts were found at Birtley Brickworks from "a large area of glacial varve clay making a late glacial lake". The objects included a flint knife, "a few cores of true Lyne Hill type", flakes with secondary chipping, scrapers, "and a fair number of coarsely worked bulky flakes".

In Hatfield's Survey, under Kibblesworth, it was recorded that Robert de Lomeley held a watermill, near Ravensworth, and paid an annual rent of 6d. A possible site (the above grid reference) shown on the 1st ed. 6" map, is Cowclose Mill, north-east of Ravensworth Castle. Dated C14th.

In 1180 a Roger de Kibblesworth witnessed a charter of Bishop Puiset alienating half the manor. This is the earliest reference to the name: note it is not in Boldon Buke (1183 survey of land belonging to the Bishop of Durham, Hugh du Puiset). In 1340s Alex de Kibblesworth was seised of the vill, and had sublet half of it. In 1368 he died in possession of the upper hall and half the vill, and his 4 heirs divided the property, so giving rise to some, but not all, the freehold properties listed in Hatfield's Survey, a number of which were outside the township. The other half was held by the Scruteville family. The village does not really emerge in the Survey, though there are more convincing references in the Ravensworth Deeds. Roberts and Austin class it as "irregular two-row plan with green", and this shape is still apparent in spite of many later alterations. Dated C12th.

This site is traditionally known as Fox Park, Beamish, but the name Fox Park is not shown on modern 1:10,000 maps, and it is difficult to see why Beamish should come into it at all. The mound was first recorded in the VCH's list of barrows. It was dismissed by the OS in 1954 as "a non-descript mound, ploughed out on the north west side, with no trace of ditch...probably a natural feature", and this interpretation was confirmed by Young. A mound is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map. Could this be upcast from a coal shaft?

"Ravensworth Park appears to have been enclosed by licence granted to Sir Henry Fitzhugh 14 Richard II (c. 1391). The approximate limits as shown on OS 6" 1861 probably date from the castle built 1808". The OS then cite as their source E.P. Shirley, English Deer Parks (1867), 228. It has not yet been possible to obtain this and discover the original source. The OS then continue, "The limits of the park are mainly modern features (i.e. hedges, walls, roads etc.) and nothing was seen that could be identified with the C14 park". Note that the park was mentioned in a deed of 1356 when John Lumley granted Robert Umfravill "the site, demesne, park, meadows and pasture of the manor of Raueneshelme" for a term, and with the right to work a coal pit {1 and 2}. An early 18th century garden plan shows an avenue with two further avenues branching to the side. Sir Henry Liddell sent his son patterns for seats and railings for the garden in 1723. He suggested plantations and a canal and pond for the park, but whether they were ever installed is unclear. the 19th century house stood on a substantial terrace with ornamental gardens to the north west. These are still discernible. There is little sign today of the fine arboretum shown on the OS map of 1898. An article in Gardener's Magazine in 1834 describes the garden - its conservatory, terrace, lawns, flower beds, serpentine paths, fish pond and glasshouses. Existing planting basically follows the 1857 OS map. A lodge and gateway remain at the former principal entrance to the east and the drive is traceable. The park has an attractive home farm and other vernacular buildings of interest. Although edged by the A1, housing and Team Valley Trading Estate, the park is surprisingly intact {3 and 4}. Designated as a Conservation Area on 6th July 1990. Dated C14-19th.

In 1979 R. Selkirk photographed from the air a horseshoe-shaped feature, apparently outlined by an outer ditch which enclosed part of a bank and second (inner) ditch. He interpreted this as a "Possible Roman Reservoir", - a "pond" surrounded by large stones, and with a central stone inscribed PD etc. From the photographs alone, however, it bears a distinct resemblance to the Stephen's Hall mine shaft (SMR 638).

In 1979 R. Selkirk photographed from the air a possible rectilinear enclosure straddling the road from Birkhead Lane to Sunniside, south-east of the erstwhile Tinkler Row Quarry. An apparent boundary bank outlined its sides south of the road in his APs: a full rectangle seems to show in the 1:10,000 verticals. On the Durham prints he described it, inevitably, as "Possible Roman Military site...". It must, however, be said that from a cursory examination this site is not apparent on the ground.

In 1977 Selkirk produced an AP site, and claimed "Suspected Roman Fort visible as very prominent earthworks. Looks as if it has been double-ditched. A suspected 'vicus' to the north east. Earth has fallen away from the suspected 'vicus' exposing stoneworks". The OS reduced this - "Not a Roman fort but a misidentification of partly enclosed ridge and furrow...". The APs show a large, irregularly-shaped enclosure, its edges well defined though by what it is impossible to say. Within this is a long, disturbed rectangle which seems to contain a building (SMR 642). On the east, north and west sides of this rectangle are blocks of ridge and furrow, running roughly north-south. The clearest block contains c. 29 big, slightly curved ridges. Has been ploughed smooth since these photos were taken.

In 1977 Selkirk produced an AP site here, and claimed "Suspected Roman Fort visible as very prominent earthworks. Looks as if it has been double-ditched. A suspected 'vicus' to the north east. Earth has fallen away from the suspected 'vicus' exposing stoneworks". The OS cut this down to size - "Not a Roman fort but a misidentification of partly enclosed ridge and furrow...". In fact, though there was ridge and furrow there (SMR 643), there are probably also the traces of a building(s), as is shown on a map of 1803, "Garths", "The Green". Have we here the remains of a farmstead, or even a hamlet?

On the hillside NNE of Old Ravensworth there were supposed to be earthworks. These have been plotted on the old 1:10,000 sheets of the SMR to show a rectilinear enclosure with linear features to the north, west amd south. These were presumably banks, perhaps field boundaries. The APs show undulations which I don't find very convincing and I cannot think I made the plots from these. Selkirk notes in addition, and rather mysteriously, an aqueduct and a reservoir.