Iron Age defended settlement above Sweetworthy (western of two)

Reasons for Designation

During the Iron Age a variety of different types of settlement were constructed and occupied in south-western England. At the top of the settlement hierarchy were hillforts built in prominent locations. In addition to these a group of smaller sites, known as defended settlements, were also constructed. Some of these were located on hilltops, others in less prominent positions. They are generally smaller than the hillforts, sometimes with an enclosed area of less than 1ha. The enclosing defences were of earthen construction. Univallate sites have a single bank and ditch, multivallate sites more than one. At some sites these earthen ramparts represent a second phase of defence, the first having been a timber fence or palisade. Where excavated, evidence of stone- or timber-built houses has been found within the enclosures, which, in contrast to the hillfort sites, would have been occupied by small communities, perhaps no more than a single family group. Defended settlements are a rare monument type. They were an important element of the settlement pattern, particularly in the upland areas of south-western England, and are integral to any study of the developing use of fortified settlements during this period. All well-preserved examples are likely to be identified as nationally important.

The western settlement enclosure above Sweetworthy survives as a good example of its class despite some stone-robbing on the lower side. It is one of a pair which form part of an unusual grouping of associated prehistoric and medieval settlements.

Details

The monument includes an Iron Age defended settlement on the lower northern slopes of Dunkery Hill. It is one of two within 80m of each other and close to another larger enclosure of similar type. The site is of a levelled area forming a round platform 35m across, with a bank 0.5m high partially enclosing the upper sides. The lower side is a simple scarp 1.1m high, though on the north east there are no visible earthworks. The proximity of the site to a more modern hedge-bank may suggest that the lower side of the earthworks has been robbed for stone. In the south west of the enclosure is a circular hollow 6m across, representing the site of a round house. The bank adjacent to this has been eroded by a later track, which has revealed an upright stone slab 0.5m high, and a second earthfast stone, suggesting the bank covers the foundations of a stone-revetted wall, or a gateway at this point. Excluded from the scheduling is the fence around the monument, although the ground beneath it is included.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

24030

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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