Summary
Large multivallate hillfort called Tedbury Camp.
Reasons for Designation
Large multivallate hillforts are defined as fortified enclosures of between 5ha and 85ha in area, located on hills and defined by two or more lines of concentric earthworks set at intervals of up to 15m. They date to the Iron Age period, most having been constructed and used between the sixth century BC and the mid-first century AD. They are generally regarded as centres of permanent occupation, defended in response to increasing warfare, a reflection of the power struggle between competing elites. Earthworks usually consist of a rampart and ditch, although some only have ramparts. Access to the interior is generally provided by two entrances although examples with one and more than two have been noted. These may comprise a single gap in the rampart, inturned or offset ramparts, oblique approaches, guardrooms or outworks. Internal features generally include evidence for intensive occupation, often in the form of oval or circular houses. These display variations in size and are often clustered, for example, along streets. Four- and six-post structures, interpreted as raised granaries, also occur widely while a few sites appear to contain evidence for temples. Other features associated with settlement include platforms, paved areas, pits, gullies, fence-lines, hearths and ovens. Additional evidence, in the form of artefacts, suggests that industrial activity such as bronze- and iron-working as well as pottery manufacture occurred on many sites. Large multivallate hillforts are rare with around 50 examples recorded nationally. These occur mostly in two concentrations, in Wessex and the Welsh Marches, although scattered examples occur elsewhere. Large multivallate hillforts are rare and important for understanding the nature of social organisation within the Iron Age period. Despite some quarrying and reduction in the heights of the ramparts the large multivallate hillfort called Tedbury Camp survives comparatively 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 18 August 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 large multivallate hillfort situated on a prominent limestone ridge overlooking the valleys of the Mells Stream to the north and Fordbury Water to the south. The hillfort survives as a roughly rectangular enclosure covering an area of approximately 27ha. The enclosed area is defined by two concentric ramparts which survive differentially. The inner bank is largely complete and stands up to 4m high and in places there are traces of a drystone revetment. To the south east are the remains of a partial third rampart bank. Parts of the ramparts have been subject to past quarrying. A rotary quern was found at the east end of the camp during the Second World War, and a pot of Roman coins was found in the area in 1691.
Further archaeological remains in the immediate vicinity are the subject of a separate scheduling.
