Reasons for Designation
Slight univallate hillforts are defined as enclosures of various shapes,
generally between 1ha and 10ha in size, situated on or close to hilltops and
defined by a single line of earthworks, the scale of which is relatively
small. They date to between the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (eighth -
fifth centuries BC), the majority being used for 150 to 200 years prior to
their abandonment or reconstruction. Slight univallate hillforts have
generally been interpreted as stock enclosures, redistribution centres, places
of refuge and permanent settlements. The earthworks generally include a
rampart, narrow level berm, external ditch and counterscarp bank, while access
to the interior is usually provided by two entrances comprising either simple
gaps in the earthwork or an inturned rampart. Postholes revealed by excavation
indicate the occasional presence of portal gateways while more elaborate
features like overlapping ramparts and outworks are limited to only a few
examples. 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. Slight
univallate hillforts are rare with around 150 examples recorded nationally.
Although on a national scale the number is low, in Devon they comprise one of
the major classes of hillfort. In other areas where the distribution is
relatively dense, for example, Wessex, Sussex, the Cotswolds and the
Chilterns, hillforts belonging to a number of different classes occur within
the same region. Examples are also recorded in eastern England, the Welsh
Marches, central and southern England. In view of the rarity of slight
univallate hillforts and their importance in understanding the transition
between Bronze Age and Iron Age communities, all examples which survive
comparatively well and have potential for the recovery of further
archaeological remains are believed to be of national importance.
Details
The scheduling includes a small later prehistoric univallate hillfort situated
on a slight slope on the north east shoulder of a ridge west of St Newlyn
East.
The hillfort is sub-oval in plan, measuring overall approximately 115m WNW-
ESE by up to 80m NNE-SSW. The interior is fairly level, with several slight
undulations or indistinct earthworks. On the east and south sides the remains
of the rampart are surmounted by a boundary bank of earth and stone, with
roughly coursed shillet facing visible in places. The resulting earthwork is
1.3m wide at its top and 0.8m high internally, 2.2m high externally, on the
east; on the south side, it is 2.4m wide, 1m high internally, and 1.9m high
externally. The external ditch is 6.8m wide and 0.75m deep on the east, and 8m
wide and 0.7m deep on the south side.
On the north and west sides the rampart is visible as a scarp 1.5m high, with
an external ditch 4.4m wide and 0.5m deep. A probable causeway 6m-7m wide
across the ditch on the west side, some 17.3m north of where the boundary bank
joins the rampart on the south, is considered to be a relatively recent access
point.
The modern fencing is excluded from the scheduling, although the ground
beneath it is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32926
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals 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
