Berry Mound Camp, Solihull

Summary

Hillfort 435m north west of Brookhouse 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 excavation, levelling, ploughing, afforestation and the insertion of horse tracks and paths, the hillfort 435m north west of Brookhouse Farm survives comparatively well. The site is a rare example of a univallate hillfort with evidence of a timber revetments and a re-cut V-shaped ditch demonstrates the importance of this hillfort as a defensive site. 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 20 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. As such they do not yet have the full descriptions of their modernised counterparts available. Please contact us if you would like further information.

This monument includes a large univallate hillfort located on a low hill known as Berry Mound, south west of the confluence of Peter Brook and the River Cole. The hillfort which has a single rampart and associated external quarry ditch encloses an elongated area measuring up to 360m long and 200m wide with inturned entrance gaps on the south and eastern sides. The north eastern rampart and ditch have been levelled. The ramparts are between 1.2m and 3m high and up to 7.3m wide and an excavation during 1959 revealed traces of a timber revetment. The external quarry ditch was shown to have been re-cut to a V-shaped profile, up to 6.7m wide and 2m deep. Artefacts dated the ditch to the 2nd and 1st centuries BC.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

WT 240

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
Pastscape Monument No:-328850
Hancox, E. & Russell, O. 2009, Recent Changes to Scheduled Monuments in Worcestershire. Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service

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