Reasons for Designation
Promontory forts are a type of hillfort in which conspicuous naturally
defended sites are adapted as enclosures by the construction of one or more
earth or stone ramparts placed across the neck of a spur in order to divide it
from the surrounding land. Coastal situations, using headlands defined by
steep natural cliffs, are common while inland similar topographic settings
defined by natural cliffs are also used. The ramparts and accompanying ditches
formed the main artificial defence, but timber palisades may have been erected
along the cliff edges. Access to the interior was generally provided by an
entrance through the ramparts. The interior of the fort was used intensively
for settlement and related activities, and evidence for timber- and stone-
walled round houses can be expected, together with the remains of buildings
used for storage and enclosures for animals. Promontory forts are generally
Iron Age in date, most having been constructed and used between the sixth
century BC and the mid-first century AD. They are broadly contemporary with
other types of hillfort. They are regarded as settlements of high status,
probably occupied on a permanent basis, and recent interpretations suggest
that their construction and choice of location had as much to do with display
as defence. Promontory forts are rare nationally with less than 100 recorded
examples. In view of their rarity and their importance in the understanding of
the nature of social organisation in the later prehistoric period, all
examples with surviving archaeological remains are considered nationally
important.
Details
The monument is a small promontory fort located on a spur of Calton Hill. It
includes a sub-rectangular enclosure with an internal area of 0.8ha, bounded
on the west side by a steep slope and precipice which has been partially
scarped. On the east side the fort is enclosed by a 2m high bank which was
found, during partial excavations of the site carried out in 1952-55, to be a
stone revetted box rampart. Three decorated stones, known as cup-and-ring
marked rocks, were found within the structure of the revetment wall. The
northernmost 20m of the rampart is flanked by an outer ditch which measures
c.7m wide by 1.5m deep and has a slight counterscarp bank on the outer edge.
Pottery and quern stones found during excavation date the promontory fort to
the Iron Age while the cup-and-ring marked rocks indicate earlier occupation
of the area in the Bronze Age. Excluded from the scheduling are the field
walls and fencing crossing the monument and a number of telegraph poles with
their stays, although the ground beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
23310
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
