Reasons for Designation
Ram's Hill type enclosures were constructed on hilltops in southern England
throughout the Bronze Age (2000-700 BC). They usually survive as an oval area
of up to c.5ha defended by a single bank and external ditch interrupted by
simple causewayed entrances. Traces of circular houses have been found within
the interiors, and associated field systems have been identified nearby; the
enclosures are therefore interpreted as the sites of domestic settlement. Some
examples, such as the earliest phase of the enclosure on Ram's Hill itself,
may have been occupied on a temporary seasonal basis, and evidence for
episodes of feasting on a social or ceremonial scale has been found. In
several cases, investigations have provided evidence for the remodelling and
reuse of the enclosures during the later prehistoric and Roman periods.
Sparsely distributed throughout central southern England, Ram's Hill type
enclosures are one of very few classes of monument dating to the Early and
Middle Bronze Age. They are a rare monument type; less than 10 have been
positively identified. All examples with surviving remains are therefore
considered to be of national importance.
Details
The monument includes Wolstonbury Camp, a Late Bronze Age Ram's Hill type
enclosure situated on a clay-with-flints capped, chalk hill which forms part
of the Sussex Downs. The north-south aligned, roughly oval enclosure is
defined by a ditch up to 5m wide and c.1.2m deep which bounds a central area
of 2,2ha. Part excavation in 1929 and 1995, and a 1993 survey, have shown the
ditch to be flat-bottomed and interrupted in places by narrow causeways,
interpreted as original features. A bank of dump construction surrounds the
ditch, measuring up to 5m wide and up to 1.5m high, and the ditch is flanked
on its south western side by a slight internal bank up to 0.2m high. The
earthworks have been disturbed in places by late 18th century-early 19th
century flint diggings, mainly excavated by the inmates of Hursterpierpoint
workhouse. Two gaps at the north and south east of the boundary earthworks
have been interpreted as original entrances, although the flint diggings have
obscured the original form of the enclosure in these areas.
The later flint diggings have also disturbed much of the interior of the
enclosure, although surveys have indicated roughly north-south aligned curving
banks measuring 2m-4m wide and up to 0.5m high. These are interpreted as
lynchets resulting from the subsequent cultivation of the interior during the
Early Iron Age. It has also been suggested that the enclosure was remodelled
during the Middle Iron Age. Antiquarian sources indicate that the monument may
have been used as a cemetery during the later Anglo-Saxon period. Reports in
the Gentleman's Magazine of 1765 and 1806 suggest that the inhumation burials
furnished with grave goods were disturbed on the hilltop by flint quarrying
and possibly also by the construction of the now dry dewpond situated in the
central part of the enclosure. Other finds include worked flints dating the
Neolithic period and the Early Bronze Age and Roman coins and pottery.
The Ordnance Survey trig point is excluded from the scheduling, although the
ground beneath it is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
27077
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
