Summary
Iron Age defended settlement and Roman camp 125m east of Higher Kingdon Barn.
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 nationally although in the upland areas of south western England they form one of the major types of hillfort and are integral to any study of the developing use of fortified settlements during this period. Roman camps are rectangular or sub-rectangular enclosures which were constructed and used by Roman soldiers either when out on campaign or as marching camps; most were only temporary bases and few were used for longer periods. They were bounded by a single earthen rampart and outer ditch and in plan are always straight-sided with rounded corners. Normally they have between one and four entrances. Such entrances were usually centrally placed in the sides of the camp. Roman camps are found throughout much of England. As one of the various types of defensive enclosure built by the Roman Army, they provide an important insight into Roman military strategy and organisation. Despite the effects of cultivation the Iron Age defended settlement and Roman camp 125m east of Higher Kingdon Barn survive comparatively well. The unusual close spatial positioning of these two different types of military site may indicate the relationships between the indigenous population and the invading Roman forces. It also demonstrates the strategic nature of this prominent hill. The settlement and camp will provide archaeological and environmental information relating to their construction, longevity, use, date, social and military organisation, farming practices, strategic importance and overall landscape context.
History
See Details.
Details
This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 18 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.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
DV 1035
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
Sources
Other
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 Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
