Garmsley Hill Fort

Summary

Hillfort known as Garmsley Camp 400m east of Garmsley Farm.

Reasons for Designation

Large univallate hillforts are defined as fortified enclosures of varying shape, ranging in size between 1ha and 10ha, located on hilltops and surrounded by a single boundary comprising earthworks of massive proportions. They date to the Iron Age period, most having been constructed and used between the fourth century BC and the first century AD, although evidence for earlier use is present at most sites. The size of the earthworks reflects the ability of certain social groups to mobilise the labour necessary for works on such a monumental scale, and their function may have had as much to do with display as defence. The ramparts are of massive proportions except in locations where steepness of slope precludes easy access. They can vary between 6m and 20m wide and may survive to a height of 6m. The ditches can measure between 6m and 13m wide and between 3m and 5m deep. Access to the interior is generally provided by one or two entrances which often take the form of long passages formed by inturned ramparts and originally closed by a gate located towards the inner end of the passageway. In view of the rarity of large univallate hillforts and their importance in understanding the organisation and regional structure of Iron Age society, all examples with surviving archaeological remains are believed to be of national importance.

Despite partial levelling and afforestation, the hillfort known as Garmsley Camp survives comparatively well as substantial earthworks and ditch. The interior of the hillfort, ramparts and ditch will contain layers and deposits containing important archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction and use.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 19 May 2015. This 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 large univallate hillfort located on a prominent hill between Perry Brook and Hyde Brook. The monument survives as a hillfort surrounded on the north, south and eastern sides by an escarpment with a single rampart and associated external quarry ditch. The rampart and ditch encloses an elongated area measuring up to 330m long and 150m wide with inturned entrance gaps on the north east, south west and western sides and a modern gap on the northern side. The eastern rampart and ditch has been levelled. The ramparts are approximately 10m wide and are up to 5m high from the interior and about 11m higher than the surrounding terrain. The external quarry ditch is up to 12m wide on the western side. Garmsley Camp is also known as The Wrathes and Roman bricks inscribed with the Roman numeral V have been found on the site.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

WT 325

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:- 112664

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