Knook Castle hillfort and associated prehistoric and Romano-British landscape

Reasons for Designation

The most complete and extensive survival of chalk downland archaeological remains in central southern England occurs on Salisbury Plain, particularly in those areas lying within the Salisbury Plain Training Area. These remains represent one of the few extant archaeological "landscapes" in Britain and are considered to be of special significance because they differ in character from those in other areas with comparable levels of preservation. Individual sites on Salisbury Plain are seen as being additionally important because the evidence of their direct association with each other survives so well.

The close association of a hillfort, two Romano-British settlements and related trackways and field systems within the Knook monument offers considerable potential for the understanding of the nature and evolution of downland settlement during the Iron Age and Romano-British periods. Hillforts represent a major settlement form for the Iron Age and, unless severely damaged, are considered worthy of protection. Seven hillforts are recorded in the Salisbury Plain Training Area, five examples of which are considered to be of national importance on the basis of present evidence. Romano-British settlements surviving as earthworks are a rare archaeological resource nationally particularly when they survive in conjunction with their associated field systems. Five examples are recorded in the Salisbury Plain Training Area, all of which are regarded as nationally important.

Details

The monument comprises an area of intensive prehistoric and Romano-British activity. The area includes a hillfort, settlements, extensive field systems, a trackway/boundary feature and a barrow. The central area of field system has been ploughed. 1 - A sub-rectangular bivallate hillfort enclosing c.1.75h. There are slight signs of ridge and furrow within the enclosure. The area has suffered from heavy cattle grazing. 2 - A well preserved Romano/British settlement to the north of "Knook Castle". Most of the site is now under permanent pasture, but some land to the west of the farm track is ploughed. Partial excavations took place in the 19th and early 20th centuries. 3 - A bowl barrow c.10m diameter with slight traces of a ditch. The barrow has a flattened top with disturbance as a result of military activity or excavation. Partial excavation took place in the early 20th century. (ST96124480) 4 - A field system associated with Knook Castle hillfort and Romano/British settlements. 5 - A track/fieldway flanking settlement areas and field systems to the north of "Knook Castle". It is in good condition and remains unploughed. 6 - A well preserved Romano/British settlement site to the north-east of "Knook Castle". Most of the site remains under permanent pasture. Partial excavation took place in the 19th century.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

10227

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Trust for Wessex Archaeology, (1987)
Wiltshire Library & Museum Service, (1987)

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