Round called Castle Goff

Reasons for Designation

Rounds are small embanked enclosures, one of a range of settlement types dating to between the later Iron Age and the early post-Roman period. Usually circular or oval, they have a single earth and rubble bank and an outer ditch, with one entrance breaking the circuit. Excavations have produced drystone supporting walls within the bank, paved or cobbled entrance ways, post built gate structures, and remains of timber, turf or stone built houses of oval or rectangular plan, often set around the inner edge of the enclosing bank. Other evidence includes hearths, drains, gullies, pits and rubbish middens. Evidence for industrial activities has been recovered from some sites, including small scale metal working and, among the domestic debris, items traded from distant sources. Some rounds are associated with secondary enclosures, either abutting the round as an annexe or forming an additional enclosure. Rounds are viewed primarily as agricultural settlements, the equivalents of farming hamlets. They were replaced by unenclosed settlement types by the 7th century AD. Over 750 rounds are recorded in the British Isles, occurring in areas bordering the Irish Seas, but confined in England to south west Devon and especially Cornwall. Most recorded examples are sited on hillslopes and spurs. Rounds are important as one of the major sources of information on settlement and social organisation of the Iron Age and Roman periods in south west England. The round called Castle Goff survives well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, longevity, trade, agricultural practices, social organisation, territorial significance, domestic arrangements and overall landscape context. The presence of an annexe and its association with a second round nearby adds to its interest.

Details

The monument includes a round, situated on the upper southern slopes of a ridge forming the watershed between two tributaries of the River Allen. The round survives as a circular enclosure defined by a strong rampart with an outer ditch. An attached annexe to the west is similarly defined. A causeway crosses from the original western entrance (now blocked) into the annexe. The annexe rampart is partially incorporated into modern field boundaries. The ramparts measure up to 1.8m high and the ditches are up to 8m wide and 0.8m deep. It is closely associated with a second nearby round known locally as 'Delinuth Camp' which is the subject of a separate scheduling.

Sources: HER:- PastScape Monument No:-432004

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

CO 793

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

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