Buckton Moor South camp

Summary

Defended settlement, 563m SSE of Barty’s Law.

Reasons for Designation

During the earlier Iron Age (seventh to fifth centuries BC) a variety of different types of defensive settlements began to be constructed and occupied in the northern uplands of England. The most obvious sites were hillforts built in prominent locations. In addition to these a range of smaller sites, sometimes with an enclosed area of less than 1ha and defined as defended settlements, were also constructed. Some of these were located on hilltops, others are found in less prominent positions. The enclosing defences were of earthen construction, some sites having a single bank and ditch (univallate), others having more than one (multivallate). At some sites these earthen ramparts represent a second phase of defence, the first having been a timber fence or palisade. Within the enclosure a number of stone or timber-built round houses were occupied by the inhabitants. Stock may also have been kept in these houses, especially during the cold winter months, or in enclosed yards outside them. The communities occupying these sites were probably single family groups, the defended settlements being used as farmsteads. Construction and use of this type of site extended over several centuries, possibly through to the early Romano-British period (mid to late first century AD). Defended settlements are a rare monument type. They were an important element of the later prehistoric settlement pattern of the northern uplands and are important for any study of the developing use of fortified settlements during this period.

Despite the erosion of its banks, the defended settlement SSE of Barty’s Law is preserved as a low earthwork. Its value is increased by the presence of a broadly contemporary settlement to the north west. The monument will contain archaeological deposits relating to its construction, use and abandonment.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 23 May 2016. 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.

The monument includes a defended settlement of Iron Age date, situated on Buckton Moor South on a slight rise on an east facing slope. The enclosure is sub-oval in plan and measures approximately 93m north west-south east by 78m north east-south west. It is enclosed by a double rampart with an outer ditch. The ramparts are partially preserved as low earthworks and are up to 15m wide. The ramparts are pierced by an entrance on the east side.

The form of the earthwork indicates it to be an Iron Age defended settlement.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

ND 271

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:- 6030

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