Reasons for Designation
Slight univallate hillforts are defined as enclosures of various shapes,
generally between 1ha and 10ha in size, situated on or close to hilltops and
defined by a single line of earthworks, the scale of which is relatively
small. They date to between the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (eighth -
fifth centuries BC), the majority being used for between 150 and 200 years
prior to their abandonment or reconstruction. Slight univallate hillforts have
generally been interpreted as stock enclosures, redistribution centres, places
of refuge and permanent settlements. The earthworks generally include a
rampart, narrow level berm, external ditch and counterscarp bank, while access
to the interior is usually provided by two entrances comprising either simple
gaps in the earthwork or an inturned rampart. Postholes revealed by excavation
indicate the occasional presence of portal gateways while more elaborate
features like overlapping ramparts and outworks are limited to only a few
examples. Internal features include square or rectangular buildings supported
by four to six postholes and interpreted as raised granaries, timber or stone
round houses, large storage pits and hearths as well as scattered postholes,
stakeholes and gullies. Slight univallate hillforts are rare with around 150
examples recorded nationally. Although on a national scale the number is low,
in Devon they comprise one of the major classes of hillfort. In other areas
where the distribution is relatively dense, for example, Wessex, Sussex, the
Cotswolds and the Chilterns, hillforts belonging to a number of different
classes occur within the same region. Examples are also recorded in eastern
England, the Welsh Marches, central and southern England. In view of the
rarity of slight univallate hillforts and their importance in understanding
the transition between Bronze Age and Iron Age communities, all examples which
survive comparatively well and have potential for the recovery of further
archaeological remains are believed to be of national importance.
Details
The monument includes a slight univallate hillfort and a substantial bowl
barrow on the summit of Beacon Hill, at the northern end of the Ivinghoe
Hills. The hillfort occupies the entire summit of the hill to form a roughly
triangular shaped enclosure some 2.2 hectares in area. The perimeter defences
roughly follow the 200m contour and include a scarp averaging 2m high with a
ditch or berm averaging 6m wide. The scarp becomes double for some 60m around
the southern point of the enclosure, but elsewhere appears to remain single
and fairly uniform. A slight lowering and inturning of the scarp and a
discontinuance of the ditch at the eastern point of the hillfort, probably
marks the site of the original entrance. A pathway which enters the interior
at this position does confuse interpretation in this area, however this is the
natural approach to the hilltop along the gently climbing dip slope and the
most likely position for an entrance. Finds made in the hillfort in the
course of various past explorations have included Early Iron Age pottery and
bronze implements, suggesting that the site was built in the early 6th century
BC by pastoral people still using bronze implements but with an otherwise Iron
Age material culture.
In the north-western quarter of the hillfort stands a substantial bowl
barrow forming part of the Beacon Hill barrow cemetery. It survives as a well
defined flat topped mound 23m in diameter and 1.6m high with a surrounding
ditch, from which the material for the mound was quarried, 4m wide and 0.4m
deep.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
19067
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
