Reasons for Designation
During the Iron Age a variety of different types of settlement were
constructed and occupied in south-western England. At the top of the
settlement hierarchy were hillforts built in prominent locations. In addition
to these a group of smaller sites, known as defended settlements, were also
constructed. Some of these were located on hilltops, others in less prominent
positions. They are generally smaller than the hillforts, sometimes with an
enclosed area of less than 1ha. The enclosing defences were of earthen
construction. Univallate sites have a single bank and ditch, multivallate
sites more than one. At some sites these earthen ramparts represent a second
phase of defence, the first having been a timber fence or palisade. Where
excavated, evidence of stone- or timber-built houses has been found within the
enclosures, which, in contrast to the hillfort sites, would have been occupied
by small communities, perhaps no more than a single family group.
Defended settlements are a rare monument type. They were an important element
of the settlement pattern, particularly in the upland areas of south-western
England, and are integral to any study of the developing use of fortified
settlements during this period. All well-preserved examples are likely to be
identified as nationally important.
Details
The monument includes an Iron Age settlement 990m north west of Haycombe Hill
Farm on the top of Cow Down, a chalk hill on the eastern edge of the upper
reaches of the Wylye valley.
The monument has a flat `D' shaped area of 0.5ha enclosed by a ditch and
outer bank. The straight edge of the enclosed area is aligned approximately
north-south while the curved edge is a semicircle to the west of this. The
ditch is 5m wide and up to 1.3m deep. The bank is 5m wide and up to 0.5m high
on the curved edge while on the straight section to the east, it is lower and
up to 0.1m high. An entrance to the east consists of a causeway across the
ditch 3m wide.
Partial excavation of the site in 1957 revealed three concentric rings of post
holes interpreted as the foundations of a circular wooden hut measuring 11.5m
in diameter. Chalk loom weights were also found in the vicinity and early Iron
Age pottery was uncovered in the main ring of post holes and as a general
scatter across the site.
Two other Iron Age enclosures are recorded on Cow Down. These are circular and
excavation revealed house sites and storage pits. These have been reduced by
cultivation but remain visible as soil marks. They are not included in the
scheduling.
All fenceposts and sheep troughs are excluded from the scheduling, although
the ground beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
31676
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
