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.
Details
The monument includes an Iron Age univallate hillfort known as Segsbury Camp,
or alternatively as Letcombe Castle. It lies on a chalk plateau which runs
east-west, roughly 20m north of the Ridgeway track, and has a commanding view
of the plains stretching below it to the north.
The monument includes a univallate rampart bank standing 3m above the interior
beyond which lies an external ditch approximately 20m wide and up to 7m deep.
Beyond this is a counter-scarp bank which would originally have extended as an
upstanding earthwork around the entire circuit. This is now only visible above
the present ground level for approximately 250m on the north west side of
the monument.
Part excavation in the 19th century demonstrated that the main rampart was
sarsen-faced like the Ridgeway hillforts at Uffington and Alfred's Castle.
The discovery of a burial cist on the south side of the rampart suggests that
the hillfort was reused in the Saxon period. Recent excavation has revealed
evidence of round houses, pits, tracks and other features previously
identified by geophysical survey.
Excluded from the scheduling are the tarmac surface of the road and all fences
and gate posts, 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:
28183
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
