Iron Age defended settlement 800m north of Lymsworthy Farm

Overview

Location

Reasons for Designation

During the Iron Age a variety of different types of settlement were constructed and occupied in south western England. At the top of the settlement hierarchy were hillforts built in prominent locations. In addition to these a group of smaller sites, known as defended settlements, were also constructed. Some of these were located on hilltops, others in less prominent positions. They are generally smaller than the hillforts, sometimes with an enclosed area of less than 1ha. The enclosing defences were of earthen construction. Univallate sites have a single bank and ditch, multivallate sites more than one. At some sites these earthen ramparts represent a second phase of defence, the first having been a timber fence or palisade. Where excavated, evidence of stone- or timber-built houses has been found within the enclosures, which, in contrast to the hillfort sites, would have been occupied by small communities, perhaps no more than a single family group. Defended settlements are a rare monument type. They were an important element of the settlement pattern, particularly in the upland areas of south western England, and are integral to any study of the developing use of fortified settlements during this period. Despite reduction in the height of the ramparts through cultivation, the Iron Age defended settlement 800m north of Lymsworthy Farm survives comparatively well and seems to indicate a change to a more Romanised square-shaped plan. It will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, longevity, function, agricultural practices, social organisation, territorial significance, domestic arrangements and overall landscape context.

Details

The monument includes an Iron Age defended settlement, situated at the eastern end of a ridge, overlooking the valley of a tributary to the Lamberal Water. The settlement survives as an approximately 60m square enclosure with rounded corners. It is defined by an upstanding rampart of up to 1.2m high externally with a 4m wide partially-buried outer ditch and a 0.6m high counterscarp bank to the north. Elsewhere the counterscarp survives as a scarped platform of up to 0.8m high with the ditch surviving as a buried feature. The eastern side has been partly cut by later quarrying which has been subsequently backfilled. The settlement is known locally as 'Abbery Camp'.

Sources: HER:- PastScape Monument No:-32171

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

CO 433

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Legal

This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.