Reasons for Designation
Exmoor is the most easterly of the three main upland areas in the south
western peninsula of England. In contrast to the other two areas, Dartmoor
and Bodmin Moor, there has been no history of antiquarian research and
little excavation of Exmoor monuments. However, detailed survey work by
the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England has confirmed
a comparable richness of archaeological remains, with evidence of human
exploitation and occupation from the Mesolithic period to the present day.
Hillslope enclosures provide the main evidence for the Iron Age on Exmoor.
First categorised by Lady Aileen Fox in 1952, their morphology has been
refined by the Royal Commission survey. Despite their name they do not
occur only on hillslopes, although their usual location is on a sheltered
valley side. They are smaller than hillforts, generally no larger than
between 50m and 80m across, and usually less well defended. The enclosure
itself is defined by a single bank, often with an associated ditch, with a
single entrance. In some cases, where natural slopes form part of the
defences, the bank may not form a complete circuit and may be missing
where the angle of slope acts in its stead. Where it can be recognised,
the settlement evidence within these enclosures comprises platforms
indicating the position of buildings.
Around 50 hillslope enclosures with upstanding earthworks have been
identified on Exmoor. They are particularly representative of their period
and a substantial proportion of surviving examples, particularly those with
a complete or near complete circuit of defences, are considered worthy of
protection.
Details
The monument, which is known as Staddon Hill Camp, lies in two separate areas
of protection and includes a hill-slope enclosure with associated primary and
secondary outworks. The earthworks are located on a north-facing slope of
Staddon Hill, below Ashcombe Plantation. The site, which is believed to be
Iron Age in date, occupies a spur on the north side of the hill which falls
steeply away from the north and east sides to the valley forged by the
Larcombe Brook below, and from the west side to an unnamed tributary. The
ground rises gradually to the south and south west to form a wide plateau.
The enclosure occupies the lower, north side of the spur and the outworks are
situated broadly east to west across the higher ground of the plateau to the
south. The enclosure is univallate and sub-circular in plan with an area of
about 0.1ha enclosed by an earthen rampart bank with an external ditch. The
bank is 7m wide and survives to a height of between 1.8m and 2.5m above the
ditch which is an average of 6m wide. The ditch along the north section of
the enclosure has a counterscarp bank around 0.4m high. There is one entrance
into the enclosure which is located on the west side. It is a simple causeway
type formed by a 4.4m wide break in the rampart banks which have rounded
terminals; it is believed to be original. A sub-circular platform is located
just to the north east of the entrance, adjoining the rampart terminal: it
may be an original feature contemporary with the enclosure, possibly
representing a hut site. The primary outwork is located about 20m to the
south of the enclosure bank. It is aligned east-west across the spur of the
hill and is formed by a curved bank, about 60m long and between 0.2m and 1.2m
high with a ditch on the upper, south side. A secondary outwork bank and
ditch which follows the same alignment is located a further 110m to the
south. This is 74m long and between 0.2m and 2m high above the ditch which
flanks the south side of the bank. The original profile of the ditch has been
modified in places by the addition of a later field bank and, more recently
by forestry activities. The original purpose of the hill-slope enclosure
remains uncertain. That it had a defensive role, considering its spur-end
position with additional outworks, and that it was used for pastoral
management, are both common suggestions.
All fence posts and fencing are excluded from the scheduling 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:
35977
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
