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 is situated in an isolated context, approximately 110m NW of
Cherry Pool Farm in the parish of Claverdon, and includes a slight univallate
hillfort of Iron Age date.
Barnmoor Wood camp is located on the southern edge of a slight plateau. The
defensive earthworks of the site enclose a raised central area of
approximately 1ha. The defences include a ditch, an internal bank and traces
of a counterscarp bank along the southern edge of the site. It is thought that
the slope of the hillside made a counterscarp on the northern and eastern
sides of the hillfort unnecessary. The 8m wide ditch is approximately 3m deep
and the internal bank is up to 12m wide at its base and 1m high. The outer
edge of the ditch has been partly damaged at the south-eastern corner of the
site, probably by quarrying. Access into the interior of the hillfort is
currently by means of causeways across the central part of the western
defences and at the north-eastern corner of the site. The latter is a 5m wide
inturned, or funnel, entrance and may represent the original entrance to the
site. The interior is almost oval in plan and measures approximately 125m
west-east and 100m north-south. No internal earthworks are visible, although
the remains of internal structures will survive beneath the ground surface.
All fence posts are excluded from the scheduling, but the ground beneath these
features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21548
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
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
