Tatchbury Mount hillfort

Reasons for Designation

Small multivallate hillforts are defined as fortified enclosures of varying shape, generally between 1 and 5ha in size and located on hilltops. They are defined by boundaries consisting of two or more lines of closely set earthworks spaced at intervals of up to 15m. These entirely surround the interior except on sites located on promontories, where cliffs may form one or more sides of the monument. They date to the Iron Age period, most having been constructed and occupied between the sixth century BC and the mid-first century AD. Small multivallate hillforts are generally regarded as settlements of high status, occupied on a permanent basis. Recent interpretations suggest that the construction of multiple earthworks may have had as much to do with display as with defence. Earthworks may consist of a rampart alone or of a rampart and ditch which, on many sites, are associated with counterscarp banks and internal quarry scoops. Access to the interior is generally provided by one or two entrances, which either appear as simple gaps in the earthwork or inturned passages, sometimes with guardrooms. The interior generally consists of settlement evidence including round houses, four and six post structures interpreted as raised granaries, roads, pits, gullies, hearths and a variety of scattered post and stake holes. Evidence from outside numerous examples of small multivallate hillforts suggests that extra-mural settlement was of a similar nature. Small multivallate hillforts are rare with around 100 examples recorded nationally. Most are located in the Welsh Marches and the south-west with a concentration of small monuments in the north-east. In view of the rarity of small multivallate hillforts and their importance in understanding the nature of settlement and social organisation within the Iron Age period, all examples with surviving archaeological remains are believed to be of national importance.

The remains of the hillfort at Tatchbury Mount survive well as a series of earthworks and buried deposits. The deposits will contain important information about the dating and economy of the hillfort and the mechanisms behind its construction, development and eventual abandonment. Landscaping of the hilltop and hillfort defences in the 18th and 19th centuries also provides an opportunity to understand its adaptation and use in later periods.

Details

The monument includes a small multivallate hillfort situated on Tatchbury Mount, a prominent clay hill on the north eastern edge of the New Forest.

The hillfort defences originally completely enclosed the hilltop, forming a NNE to SSW aligned oval shaped interior of approximately 2ha. The defences survive as parallel banks between 3m and 4.5m in height separated by a terrace 6m in width, except along the western side where there is a third smaller bank between them. The third bank was originally continuous but has been disturbed by later activities. A country house was built on the summit of the hill in the late 18th century and the surrounding area was extensively landscaped and planted with trees as part of the formal gardens. Landscaping involved the partial levelling and terracing of the eastern defences, the cutting of several footpaths through the banks and the construction of a drainage ditch on the north eastern side. The road providing access to the house from the north is thought to follow the line of the original entrance. An Iron Age comb was reported to have been found on the hill during the latter part of the 19th century, probably during gardening, although few details are known.

All fences, guide rails, modern services, buildings, stairways and the surfaces of all paths, roads and hardstandings are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included. The former mansion house and the ground beneath it are totally excluded from the scheduling.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 5 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

30298

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Williams-Freeman, JP, Introduction to field archaeology as illustrated by Hampshire, (1915)
Williams-Freeman, JP, Introduction to field archaeology as illustrated by Hampshire, (1915), 165-7
Hampshire County Council, , Countryside Heritage Sites, Hampshire: Tatchbury Mount, (1986)

Other
Title: Ordnance Survey 1st Edition 6" Source Date: 1864 Author: Publisher: Surveyor:
Title: Ordnance Survey 3rd Edition 25" Source Date: 1909 Author: Publisher: Surveyor:
Title: Tithe Map, Parish of Eling, Southampton Source Date: 1842 Author: Publisher: Surveyor:
Hampshire County Council, SU31 SW1,

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