Reasons for Designation
Stock enclosures of medieval and later date provided winter shelter and
corralling for beasts ranging over open pasture. In south east England, they
are to be found in relatively remote regions located some distance from the
farmstead with which they were associated. They vary in size and shape and
reflect local building techniques, styles and materials. They usually survive
as a level area surrounded by low banks flanked by construction ditches. Some
enclosures would have been further protected by timber fences and gates and
smaller examples may have been roofed. Surviving largely in downland areas of
less intensive modern land use, medieval and post-medieval stock enclosures
provide evidence for pastoral practices in south east England which have left
few other traces in the landscape. As a relatively rare monument type, those
examples which survive well as upstanding monuments and/or which are
documented by part excavation or contemporary records, are considered to merit
protection.
Details
The monument includes a post-medieval stock enclosure situated at the bottom
of Devil's Dyke, the largest dry chalk coomb in Britain, which forms part of
the Sussex Downs. The enclosure survives as a north east-south west aligned,
rectangular earthwork measuring c.44m by c.18m, defined at each end by a bank
c.4m wide and up to 1m high. The banks are flanked by an outer ditch c.6m wide
and c.0.5m deep. Along the north western side is a low bank c.2m wide. Part
excavation in 1908 confirmed the identification of the monument, known locally
as Giant's Graves and previously assumed to be a burial mound. The enclosure
was used for the stalling of working oxen and as winter housing for fatstock
cattle.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
27081
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
