Clatworthy hillfort

Summary

Slight univallate hillfort 320m north of Milltown.

Reasons for Designation

Slight univallate hillforts are defined as enclosures of various shapes, generally between 1ha and 10ha in size, situated on or close to hilltops and defined by a single line of earthworks, the scale of which is relatively small. They date to between the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (eighth - fifth centuries BC), the majority being used for 150 to 200 years prior to their abandonment or reconstruction. Slight univallate hillforts have generally been interpreted as stock enclosures, redistribution centres, places of refuge and permanent settlements. The earthworks generally include a rampart, narrow level berm, external ditch and counterscarp bank, while access to the interior is usually provided by two entrances comprising either simple gaps in the earthwork or an inturned rampart. Postholes revealed by excavation indicate the occasional presence of portal gateways while more elaborate features like overlapping ramparts and outworks are limited to only a few examples. Internal features included timber or stone round houses; large storage pits and hearths; scattered postholes, stakeholes and gullies; and square or rectangular buildings supported by four to six posts, often represented by postholes, and interpreted as raised granaries. Slight univallate hillforts are rare with around 150 examples recorded nationally. Although on a national scale the number is low, in neighbouring Devon they comprise one of the major classes of hillfort. In other areas where the distribution is relatively dense, for example, Wessex, Sussex, the Cotswolds and the Chilterns, hillforts belonging to a number of different classes occur within the same region. Examples are also recorded in eastern England, the Welsh Marches, central and southern England. Slight univallate hillforts are rare and important for understanding the transition between Bronze Age and Iron Age communities. Despite some damage through burrowing animals the slight univallate hillfort 320m north of Milltown 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.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 2 September 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.

This monument includes a slight univallate hillfort situated on the end summit of a long ridge which falls steeply on the north and west sides and less so to the east and south and now overlooks Clatworthy Reservoir. The hillfort survives as a roughly triangular enclosure defined by a single rampart bank measuring up to 10m wide and 1.8m high internally and partially buried outer ditch which is up to 3m wide and 1.2m deep except to the south where it is preserved as a scarp with ditch. There is an inturned entrance to the south east. It is known locally as ‘Clatworthy Camp or Castle’.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

SO 435

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:-188442

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