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.
Details
This monument includes an Iron Age slight univallate hillfort situated on a
hilltop overlooking the valley of the Little Dart River. The monument survives
as an oval enclosure with a single rampart and ditch. There is a triangular
extension to the earthwork which runs into neighbouring fields to the north
east and evidence for a simple entrance on the south eastern side of the
enclosure. Topographically, the whole site slopes down towards the north west.
Internally, the enclosure measures 91.5m long from north east to south west
and 79.8m wide from north west to south east. There are slight surface
undulations within the enclosure. The rampart varies in width from 0.2m in the
north west up to 4.4m wide to the south east; on average it attains a width of
2.2m. The internal height of the rampart varies from 0.3m to 1.32m. The
external height of the rampart varies from 0.9 to 1.7m. The rampart survives
less well to the north west, but this may be a result of the prevailing slope
in this direction causing the rampart to be largely preserved as a buried
feature.
Beyond the rampart lies the outer ditch from which material to construct
the rampart was obtained. This varies in width from 3.2m up to 4.7m and in
depth from 0.7m to 1.35m. Part of the ditch to the north has been reused
as a road and this has produced a hollow way. This measures 4.15m wide and is
up to 1.35m deep.
The original entrance to the enclosure lies on the south eastern side.
Here curving stone banks up to 10m long, 2.2m wide and 0.6m high define the
entrance. There is also an entrance to the north west measuring 3.05m wide
which has produced a small bank across the ditch, but this is not likely to be
the original entrance. Another cuts the rampart to the south east and is 3.55m
wide and was used to facilitate entry to the enclosure from the farm.
To the north east of the enclosure is a triangular raised earthwork, in part
overlain by field boundaries, which continues into two fields beyond the
enclosure. This measures 49.2m long by 19.4m wide and is 0.8m to 1m high.
A field boundary partly overlies the rampart and ditch on the eastern side
of the enclosure.
To the NNE there is stony bank running approximately east to west, parallel to
the rampart and ditch. This measures 1.2m wide and 0.5m high. It is cut by the
track to the west and overlain by a field boundary to the east and may
represent an outer rampart.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
28617
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
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
