Reasons for Designation
Promontory forts are a type of hillfort in which conspicuous naturally
defended sites are adapted as enclosures by the construction of one or more
earth or stone ramparts placed across the neck of a spur in order to divide it
from the surrounding land. Coastal situations, using headlands defined by
steep natural cliffs, are common while inland similar topographic settings
defined by natural cliffs are also used. The ramparts and accompanying ditches
formed the main artificial defence, but timber palisades may have been erected
along the cliff edges. Access to the interior was generally provided by an
entrance through the ramparts. The interior of the fort was used intensively
for settlement and related activities, and evidence for timber- and stone-
walled round houses can be expected, together with the remains of buildings
used for storage and enclosures for animals. Promontory forts are generally
Iron Age in date, most having been constructed and used between the sixth
century BC and the mid-first century AD. They are broadly contemporary with
other types of hillfort. They are regarded as settlements of high status,
probably occupied on a permanent basis, and recent interpretations suggest
that their construction and choice of location had as much to do with display
as defence. Promontory forts are rare nationally with less than 100 recorded
examples. In view of their rarity and their importance in the understanding of
the nature of social organisation in the later prehistoric period, all
examples with surviving archaeological remains are considered nationally
important.
Details
The monument includes a hillfort known as Hardwell Camp, situated at the head
of several small valleys on a north facing promontory overlooking the Vale of
the White Horse from the edge of the Downs. It lies c.1km north west of
Uffington Castle hillfort and the White Horse and c.1km north east of
Wayland's Smithy Neolithic chambered tomb.
The promontory fort was built using a combination of rampart banks, ditches
and enhanced natural features to enclose an area roughly 200m square with two
enclosed spurs extending to the north.
The main rampart runs along the top edge of the valleys which lie immediately
east and west of the hillfort. It is built of stone rubble and turf and
measures c.10m wide, standing between 0.5m and 1.5m high above the interior.
The rampart runs east-west across the relatively level ground to the south
where it is interrupted by an original entrance. This open side is further
protected by a 16m wide ditch and a second outer bank of similar proportions
to the first.
The north side of the monument is defined by the top end of the cutting which
contains the track. Here, a slight internal rampart marks the edge of the
contour. However, below this two projecting spurs, formed by the two valleys
and separated by the cutting, have slight lipped ramparts along their top
edges to enhance their defensive use. They would also have provided views
across much of the vale below.
The inner slopes of the valleys either side of the monument have been
landscaped to enhance the defensive nature of the site and form an integral
part of its design and functional effectiveness.
There are believed to have been two original entrances, one to the south which
allowed access to the Ridgeway just under 1km to the south, and the other, to
the north, which ran down a steep and formidable cutting to allow access to
the Plain below.
Excluded from the scheduling are all post and wire fences, pheasant shelters
and other associated sheds and structures, 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:
28167
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
