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 on the watershed between the Ford Brook to the west and River Culvery
to the east. The interior of the hillfort survives as a sub-triangular
enclosure which measures 97m from south west to north east and 80m from north
west to south east. The surrounding ramparts vary considerably in size, with
the western side measuring up to 9.3m wide and 1.6m high, whilst on the
northern circuit it reaches 2.7m high and elsewhere averages 1m high. On the
western side an outer ditch measuring up to 8.1m wide and 0.7m deep is visible
and on the western edge of this is an outer bank which is partly preserved by
a boundary running in a north westerly direction. On the eastern side of
the hillfort traces of a 9.8m wide and 0.3m deep ditch survive, where it has
been reused as a track. A field boundary lies just to the south of the rampart
on the south eastern corner, but this boundary turns and crosses over the
rampart and into the enclosed area itself to the south west before continuing
away from the monument in a WSW direction. The south western corner may
reflect the original simple entrance to the enclosure.
A field shelter, portable feeding trough and chain link and post fence are
excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath is included. A well
in the south eastern corner of the enclosure is totally excluded from the
scheduling.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
28619
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
