Reasons for Designation
Hilltop enclosures are defined as sub-rectangular or elongated areas of
ground, usually between 10ha and 40ha in size, situated on hilltops or
plateaux and surrounded by slight univallate earthworks. They date to between
the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (eighth-fifth centuries BC) and are usually
interpreted as stock enclosures or sites where agricultural produce was
stored. Many examples of hilltop enclosures may have developed into more
strongly defended sites later in the Iron Age period and are therefore often
difficult to recognise in their original form. The earthworks generally
consist of a bank separated from an external ditch by a level berm. Access to
the interior was generally provided by two or three entrances which consisted
of simple gaps in the rampart. Evidence for internal features is largely
dependent on excavation, and to date this has included large areas of sparsely
scattered features including post and stakeholes, hearths and pits.
Rectangular or square buildings are also evident; these are generally defined
by between four and six postholes and are thought to have supported raised
granaries. Hilltop enclosures are rare, with between 25 and 30 examples
recorded nationally. A greater number may exist but these could have been
developed into hillforts later in the Iron Age and could only be confirmed by
detailed survey or excavation. The majority of known examples are located in
two regions, on the chalk downland of Wessex and Sussex and in the Cotswolds.
More scattered examples are found in north-east Oxfordshire and north
Northamptonshire. This class of monument has not been recorded outside
England. In view of the rarity of hilltop enclosures and their importance in
understanding the transition between Bronze Age and Iron Age communities, all
examples with surviving archaeological remains are believed to be of
national importance.
Details
This monument includes an Iron Age hilltop enclosure located on an east to
west ridge, west of Roborough Down. It survives as an oval enclosure defined
by a rampart and outer ditch. It is aligned from north to south with an
interior 96m long by 73m wide. The rampart measures between 8m and 10m wide
and is from 0.5m to 0.8m high, rising to 1.2m at the north end. The outer
ditch is 8m wide by 0.3m to 0.5m deep. A slight upcast bank is visible on the
north west side, 4m wide by up to 0.2m high. One original entrance is on the
west side, with enlarged ramparts and a wider ditch to its north, while the
south east entrance has an inturned rampart terminal on its south side. A 19th
century carriage drive passes through this entrance, but exits via a causeway
across the rampart in the south west corner. This drive crosses the monument
on a causeway 8m wide by 0.8m high. A later field boundary follows the east
and south west sides of the enclosure. The outer ditch of the enclosure is
faintly visible in the field outside this boundary, where it is 8m wide and up
to 0.4m deep. Subsequent enclosure of the monument within parkland of the
post-medieval period is represented by large oak pollards which still grow on
the ramparts.
Excluded from the scheduling are all fence posts and track surfacings,
although the ground beneath them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
33770
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
