Reasons for Designation
Large univallate hillforts are defined as fortified enclosures of varying
shape, ranging in size between 1ha and 10ha, located on hilltops and
surrounded by a single boundary comprising earthworks of massive proportions.
They date to the Iron Age period, most having been constructed and used
between the fourth century BC and the first century AD, although evidence for
earlier use is present at most sites. The size of the earthworks reflects the
ability of certain social groups to mobilise the labour necessary for works on
such a monumental scale, and their function may have had as much to do with
display as defence. Large univallate hillforts are also seen as centres of
redistribution, both for subsistence products and items produced by craftsmen.
The ramparts are of massive proportions except in locations where steepness of
slope precludes easy access. They can vary between 6m and 20m wide and may
survive to a height of 6m. The ditches can measure between 6m and 13m wide and
between 3m and 5m deep. Access to the interior is generally provided by one or
two entrances which often take the form of long passages formed by inturned
ramparts and originally closed by a gate located towards the inner end of the
passageway. The entrance may be flanked by guardrooms and/or accompanied by
outworks. 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. Large
univallate hillforts are rare with between 50 and 100 examples recorded
nationally. Most are located within southern England where they occur on the
chalklands of Wessex, Sussex and Kent. The western edge of the distribution is
marked by scattered examples in north Somerset and east Devon, while further
examples occur in central and western England and outliers further north.
Within this distribution considerable regional variation is apparent, both in
their size, rampart structure and the presence or absence of individual
components. In view of the rarity of large univallate hillforts and their
importance in understanding the organisation and regional structure of Iron
Age society, all examples with surviving archaeological remains are believed
to be of national importance.
The hillfort on Dungeon Hill is a well preserved example of its class and is
known from partial excavation to contain archaeological evidence relating to
its construction, the economy of its inhabitants and the landscape in which
they lived. Lynchets appear as parallel terraces which are most commonly seen
on steep hillsides. They provide distinctive traces of medieval agricultural
activities in downland areas, indicating the level of intensity of land use
and farming practices through time. The lynchets situated on the eastern side
of the hillfort will contain archaeological deposits providing evidence for
economy and the environment during the medieval period
Details
The monument includes a large univallate hillfort on the summit of a low, but
locally prominent hill, along with four lynchets.
The hillfort has a bank and an external ditch enclosing an irregular oval area
of about 7ha. The bank is 7m wide and on average 1.5m high above the interior,
although the south west corner and northern end appears slightly enhanced
rising to 2.4m. The external ditch is 13m wide and 2m deep, up to 6m deep from
its base to the crest of the bank. There are slight traces of an outer bank on
the eastern side of the hillfort, 7m wide and 0.8m high, and there is a simple
causeway entrance at the southern end, about 3m wide, which has been partly
disturbed to widen the access in more recent times. Towards the northern end
there are two opposing modern entrances over causeways across the ditch and
under brick tunnels constructed through the rampart. The parish boundary kinks
around the western side of the hillfort and is marked by a hedge bank which
runs along the outer edge of the ditch.
In the late 18th century the owner, Mr Foy, cleared the woodland on the site
and found, among other remains, human bones, sword blades and Roman coins.
Partial excavations across the bank in 1881 recovered Roman pottery and quern
fragments and large quantities of building stone. Roman tiles were found in
the interior.
Adjacent to the hillfort on the east facing slope of the hill and included in
the scheduling, are four lynchets creating terraces, probably for cultivation
in the medieval period. The bottom three terraces are closer together, and the
lowest has an extension creating a small platform on the edge half way along
its length.
All fence and gate posts, the brick arches and the barn are excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath these features is included.
MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
