The Grubenhaus (literally translated as "pit-house") is a characteristic building type of the early medieval period in England, introduced from continental Europe. The feature which particularly distinguishes it in the archaeological record is the sub-rectangular pit which is dug into the ground and above which the building is constructed. The upper structure of the building is based around two, four or six upright posts set in post holes in the base of the pit.

The Grubenhaus at New Bewick, some 10km south-east of Wooler in Northumberland, was discovered from cropmarks which formed over its now infilled pit. The excavated example was one of a group of a dozen or so in a complex of cropmark features on cultivated land on a plateau of glacial sands and gravels above the River Till.

Some aspects of the archaeological evidence and the techniques of excavation which have been discussed in relation to the Thirlings building reconstruction also apply to this building

The pit was 0.5 metres deep, measured from the surface of the subsoil, with steeply cut sides and flat at the bottom, subrectangular in plan, 4.7 metres long and a maximum of 3.9 metres wide. Irregularities in the shape of the edges were caused by erosion of the loose sand through which the pit had been cut. Post holes were sited within the pit at each end, hard against the edge. At the south end a double post hole 0.95m deep lay on the central axis, and slightly west of centre a single post hole at the north end was 0.75m deep. This apparent irregularity of alignment may be the result of more severe erosion of the edges at the east side than the west, and not necesarily poor construcion technique.

Five zones, which may be identified as stages in the use and demise of the building, were identified in the fill of the pit. The lower half was filled with loose sand which had smearings of silty clay and charcoal in small patches towards the bottom and circular loom weights, both fired and unfired, lay scattered on the floor as if they had fallen or been discarded. This zone appears to represent the occupation of the building, with the accumulated sand indicating a period of abandonment. Demolition by removal of the main structural timbers was clearly marked by clean sand and several large stones lying haphazardly in the fill of the post holes, and towards the south end a more extensive spread of sand and gravel. Above this was a thin band of silty clay, mottled and sticky in texture, similar to the patches in the lowest part of the fill, but here covering the whole of the interior. It perhaps results from decay of organic matter after the collapse of the upper structure of the building. The top layer of fill, darker in colour than the sand below, with small fragments of charcoal, clay and daub mixed in with sand and silt, filled in the shallow hollow left after demolition, either as the result of deliberate levelling, or as a consequence of bringing the land into cultivation. The fragments of daub are suggestive of inorganic materials used in the upper structure of which no traces remain.

The description of the archaeological feature as excavated is taken from: T. Gates and C. O'Brien "Cropmarks at Milfield and New Bewick and the Recognition of Grubenhaüser in Northumberland." Archaeologia Aeliana 5th series, Vol XVI, 1988, 1-9. Users should consult this paper for any further information.