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
The monument includes a slight univallate hillfort and a later postmill
constructed on a chalk spur which projects to the north from a ridge of the
Sussex Downs. The roughly east-west aligned, pear-shaped hillfort encloses an
area of 2.8ha. Subsequent ploughing during the early post-medieval period has
caused some disturbance to the monument, and the hillfort defences now survive
as a low bank or scarp surrounded by a mainly infilled ditch. Part excavation
of the monument during 1948 and between 1956-58 discovered that the hilltop
defences underwent several phases of reconstruction and modification from the
Early Iron Age (sixth century BC), and remained in use until c.100 BC. During
the fifth-third centuries BC the defences defined a promontory fort, with a
now infilled, north-south aligned ditch and timber-reinforced bank constructed
across the central part of the monument, protecting the western end of the
steeply-sided spur. During the third century BC, the ramparts were extended to
enclose the whole spur-top, and a new entrance was constructed through their
eastern side. This gateway was modified and elaborated during the second
century BC and finally took the form of an inturned, stone-walled corridor
leading to a massive timber gate. Evidence found during the investigations
indicated that the gateway was destroyed in c.100 BC.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
29294
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
