Reasons for Designation
Promontory forts are a type of hillfort in which conspicuous naturally
defended sites are adapted as enclosures by the construction of one or more
earth or stone ramparts placed across the neck of a spur in order to divide it
from the surrounding land. Coastal situations, using headlands defined by
steep natural cliffs, are common while inland similar topographic settings
defined by natural cliffs are also used. The ramparts and accompanying ditches
formed the main artificial defence, but timber palisades may have been erected
along the cliff edges. Access to the interior was generally provided by an
entrance through the ramparts. The interior of the fort was used intensively
for settlement and related activities, and evidence for timber- and stone-
walled round houses can be expected, together with the remains of buildings
used for storage and enclosures for animals. Promontory forts are generally
Iron Age in date, most having been constructed and used between the sixth
century BC and the mid-first century AD. They are broadly contemporary with
other types of hillfort. They are regarded as settlements of high status,
probably occupied on a permanent basis, and recent interpretations suggest
that their construction and choice of location had as much to do with display
as defence. Promontory forts are rare nationally with less than 100 recorded
examples. In view of their rarity and their importance in the understanding of
the nature of social organisation in the later prehistoric period, all
examples with surviving archaeological remains are considered nationally
important.
Details
The monument includes a hillfort occupying a prominent natural knoll on the
west end of Live Moor in the north west area of the Hambleton Hills. It is
sub-circular in shape, with a prominent rampart, external ditch and a
counterscarp bank to the ENE and south. To the west and north west the
monument is defined by a steep scarp slope with traces of a bank along the
west edge. At the south east there is a further bank and ditch extending 40m
to the south, forming an outwork linking the hillfort to natural topographic
features. The rampart is up to 9m wide and stands to a height of 2.2m above
the base of the ditch. The ditch itself is 5m wide at the top narrowing to
0.5m at the bottom. The counterscarp bank is 3m wide and stands to a height of
0.75m. There is an entrance on the east side 3m wide narrowing to 1m at the
centre. The interior of the hillfort is relatively level and measures 120m
across. A well worn footpath carrying the Cleveland Way crosses the northern
part of the monument.
There are a number of promontory forts along the northern and western
escarpment of the Hambleton Hills. They were local foci and provide evidence
of the consolidation of settlement and social organisation in the late
prehistoric period. As such they can be contrasted with the more dispersed hut
circle settlements also found on the North York Moors and which are of a
broadly contemporary date.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
25539
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
