Reasons for Designation
Between 50 and 70 causewayed enclosures are recorded nationally, mainly in
southern and eastern England. They were constructed over a period of some 500
years during the middle part of the Neolithic period (c.3000-2400 BC) but also
continued in use into later periods. They vary considerably in size (from 2 to
70 acres) and were apparently used for a variety of functions, including
settlement, defence, and ceremonial and funerary purposes. However, all
comprise a roughly circular to ovoid area bounded by one or more concentric
rings of banks and ditches. The ditches, from which the monument class derives
its name, were formed of a series of elongated pits punctuated by unexcavated
causeways. Causewayed enclosures are amongst the earliest field monuments to
survive as recognisable features in the modern landscape and are one of the
few known Neolithic monument types. Due to their rarity, their wide diversity
of plan, and their considerable age, all causewayed enclosures are considered
to be nationally important.
Details
The monument includes a Neolithic causewayed enclosure situated on a gentle
south-facing slope between the two summits of Bignor Hill.
The enclosure is defined by a low bank and outer ditch, the ditch being
interrupted by causeways spaced at regular intervals, a characteristic of this
type of monument. The area enclosed is 3ha and has maximum dimensions of 220m
from north to south and 150m from east to west. The bank survives to a height
of 0.5m and is 10m wide. The ditch has become partially infilled over the
years but survives up to 4m wide in sections between 10m and 30m long. The
site was first surveyed in 1930 and excavations were undertaken in 1958-61 and
1978. Trenches were dug to investigate the bank and ditch as well as the
interior of the enclosure. Neolithic pottery and flint tools were discovered
confirming that the enclosure was occupied during the Neolithic period. Some
pottery dating to later periods was also found.
Excluded from the scheduling are all fences and fence posts, although the
ground beneath them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20194
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
