Reasons for Designation
Small multivallate hillforts are defined as fortified enclosures of varying
shape, generally between 1 and 5ha in size and located on hilltops. They are
defined by boundaries consisting of two or more lines of closely set
earthworks spaced at intervals of up to 15m. These entirely surround the
interior except on sites located on promontories, where cliffs may form one or
more sides of the monument. They date to the Iron Age period, most having been
constructed and occupied between the sixth century BC and the mid-first
century AD. Small multivallate hillforts are generally regarded as settlements
of high status, occupied on a permanent basis. Recent interpretations suggest
that the construction of multiple earthworks may have had as much to do with
display as with defence. Earthworks may consist of a rampart alone or of a
rampart and ditch which, on many sites, are associated with counterscarp banks
and internal quarry scoops. Access to the interior is generally provided by
one or two entrances, which either appear as simple gaps in the earthwork or
inturned passages, sometimes with guardrooms. The interior generally consists
of settlement evidence including round houses, four and six post structures
interpreted as raised granaries, roads, pits, gullies, hearths and a variety
of scattered post and stake holes. Evidence from outside numerous examples of
small multivallate hillforts suggests that extra-mural settlement was of a
similar nature. Small multivallate hillforts are rare with around 100 examples
recorded nationally. Most are located in the Welsh Marches and the south-west
with a concentration of small monuments in the north-east. In view of the
rarity of small multivallate hillforts and their importance in understanding
the nature of settlement and social organisation within the Iron Age period,
all examples with surviving archaeological potential are believed to be of
national importance.
Details
The monument is situated on Camphill which projects eastwards from a high
ridge of land running between the villages of Haseley and Honiley and it
includes a multivallate hillfort.
Beausale camp measures up to 230m west-east and 180m north-south. It is ovoid
in plan with its broadest end towards the west. The hillfort has multivallate
defences which include an inner ditch, intermittent traces of an internal bank
and, beyond the ditch, a second bank and ditch. The inner ditch is best
preserved along the southern edge of the site and measures up to 16m. Much of
the ditch has been infilled, but it will survive as a buried feature. The
outer bank survives along the northern and eastern edges of the site, although
largely denuded, and measures 12m wide across its base. There is evidence for
a second ditch at the eastern edge of the hillfort. This outer ditch is
thought to have originally extended along the southern, northern and
western edges of the site but, with the exception of the 9m wide eastern
section, it has been infilled. These infilled sections will, however, survive
as buried features beneath the ground surface and are therefore included in
the scheduling. There is no evidence of an entrance into the interior of the
hillfort. It is possible that the entrance was at the western edge of the site
and has been destroyed by the construction of Camphill Farm and its
outbuildings. There is a slight break in the south-eastern defensive
earthworks, but this is thought to be a modern entrance.
The interior of the hillfort measures approximately 190m west-east and 130m
north-south and is slightly raised above the surrounding ground surface. There
is no surface evidence of internal features since the interior is under
cultivation; however, these will survive beneath the ground surface.
All fence posts, the electricity pole and its support cable, and service
inspection chambers 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:
21549
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
