Slight univallate hillfort 600m north of Roveries House

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 150 to 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 included timber or stone round houses; large storage pits and hearths; scattered postholes, stakeholes and gullies; and square or rectangular buildings supported by four to six posts, often represented by postholes, and interpreted as raised granaries. 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.

The slight univallate hillfort on the extreme summit of Roveries Hill survives well and is a good example of its class. The constructed defences will contain stratified archaeological evidence concerning their method of construction and the period of occupation. Archaeological evidence relating to the occupation of the site will survive in the interior of the enclosure. Environmental evidence relating to the landscape in which the monument was constructed will be preserved sealed on the old land surface beneath the rampart. Such monuments when considered singly or in relationship to other sites of a similar period which lie in the vicinity contribute valuable information relating to the settlement pattern, social organisation and economy of the countryside during the Iron Age. In this respect the relationship between the site and the larger Roveries Camp hillfort, which lies 350m to the south west, is of great interest.

Details

The monument includes a slight univallate hillfort situated on the northern summit of Roveries Hill, a prominent hill commanding the Camlad-Onny valley and the Lydham pass to the south west of the Long Mynd. The enclosure is roughly oval in plan with maximum dimensions of 200m north to south by 110m east to west, giving an internal area of approximately 1.8ha. The site is positioned to make maximum use of the topography creating a defended site using the minimum of artificial defensive works. Around the south, east and north east the natural hill falls as a series of steep slopes and rock cliffs; these form a formidable barrier to any approach from this direction. Around the west and north west sides, where the summit is open to the hill to the west, a substantial linear rampart up to 10m wide and averaging 2.5m high on its west face and 1m high on its east face has been constructed. A ditch 6m wide and 1.3m deep runs along the base of the rampart on its west side. At the southern end this rampart links with the cliff face of a natural rock outcrop. In the north it curves around to the east to fade out on the steepening north east slope of the hill. There is no constructed entrance into the interior of the enclosure and access would most likely have been along a simple pathway climbing the hill from the east. Such a path exists today in the south east quarter of the hill. The interior of the site is uneven and it would most likely have functioned as a temporary defensive work perhaps in some way associated with the larger and more permanent hillfort which lies 350m to the south west, the subject of a separate scheduling.

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:

19182

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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