Risbury Camp

Summary

Small multivallate hillfort called Risbury.

Reasons for Designation

Small multivallate hillforts are defined as fortified enclosures of varying shape, generally between 1 and 5ha in size and located on hilltops. They are defined by boundaries consisting of two or more lines of closely set earthworks spaced at intervals of up to 15m. These entirely surround the interior except on sites located on promontories, where cliffs may form one or more sides of the monument. Earthworks may consist of a rampart alone or of a rampart and ditch which, on many sites, are associated with counterscarp banks and internal quarry scoops. Access to the interior is generally provided by one or two entrances, either simple gaps in the earthwork or inturned passages, sometimes with guardrooms. The interior generally consists of settlement evidence including round houses, four and six post structures interpreted as raised granaries, roads, pits, gullies, hearths and a variety of scattered post and stake holes. Evidence from outside numerous examples of small multivallate hillforts suggests that extra-mural settlement was of a similar nature. Small multivallate hillforts are rare with around 100 examples recorded nationally. Most are located in the Welsh Marches and the south-west with a concentration of small monuments in the north-east. They are rare and important for understanding the nature of settlement and social organisation within the Iron Age period.

The small multivallate hillfort called Risbury survives well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, development, longevity, function, social and territorial significance, trade, agricultural practices, industry, adaptive re-use, domestic arrangements and overall landscape context.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 19 May 2015. The record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

This monument includes a small multivallate hillfort situated on the summit of a prominent knoll overlooking the confluences of the Humber Brook, Holly Brook and an un-named tributary. The hillfort utilises the natural topography and has been artificially enhanced with at least three and up to five concentric ditches, divided by either rampart banks or berms depending on the preservation of the banks or steepness of the slopes which enclose an oval area of approximately 3.2ha with complex defences some of which have traces of external stone revetments to the ramparts. There is an inturned entrance to the west and a simple entrance to the east. The outermost ditch on the western side has been re-used as a mill race. Chance finds of Roman pottery were made within the interior in 1932.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

HE 75

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape 110662, Herefordshire SMR 2221

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