Hunter's Tor camp

Summary

Small multivallate hillfort called Hunter’s Tor Camp.

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. They date to the Iron Age period, most having been constructed and occupied between the sixth century BC and the mid-first century AD. Small multivallate hillforts are generally regarded as settlements of high status, occupied on a permanent basis. Recent interpretations suggest that the construction of multiple earthworks may have had as much to do with display as with defence. 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. Small multivallate hillforts are rare nationally, most are located in the Welsh Marches and the South West. They are important for understanding the nature of settlement and social organisation within the Iron Age period. Despite reduction in the heights of the ramparts through stone removal Hunter’s Tor Camp survives well and is a very unusual type of hillfort within the context of Dartmoor. It will contain important archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, use, development and landscape context.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 5 November 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.

The monument includes a small multivallate hillfort situated on a prominent hill forming the northern side of the valley of the River Bovey. The hillfort survives as an oval enclosure measuring 116m long by 70m wide internally defined by three concentric ramparts with shallow ditches to the south east and two to the north-west. The entrance is to the south east and inturned creating an embarked causewayed entrance through the three ramparts. The outer rampart and ditch narrow to the north and west. A hut circle lies between the ramparts on the eastern side between the middle and inner ramparts.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

DV 279

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:- 445589

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