Embury Beacon Camp, Iron Age Coastal Promontory Fort, Welcombe

Summary

This promontory fort consists of two earthwork ramparts, providing an enclosed area of triangular shape between high cliffs on its north and west sides, the site lies at over 150m above sea level.

Identification Images (0)

Monument Types

Description

This promontory fort consists of two earthwork ramparts, providing an enclosed area of triangular shape between high cliffs on its north and west sides, the site lies at over 150m above sea level. Parts of the site were excavated by the Department of the Environment in 1972-3. The outer rampart is now a maximum length of 190m and about 1.5m in height. It forms the third inland side of the triangle. A breach through the rampart has been made at some later date. This would be a suitable place for a gate for stock if such needs to be made. At the north end of this rampart lie the remains of the original entrance which consists of a gap in the rampart of approximately 4m, protected by an outer bank and ditch.
An enclosed area of between 40m and 65m lies between the inner and outer ramparts, a small area of this was excavated (estimated to be 5% of the area). Only a low fragment of wall footings was discovered here, suggesting that this area may have had a use other than settlement, for example a stock enclosure. This interpretation would be consistent with current thought on other Iron Age sites in the south west.
The inner rampart now only survives on the edge of the cliff face, to a maximum length of about 30m, and to 2.2m high, when excavated the 'V'-shaped ditch was found to be 3.30m deep and 7m wide. A fragment of the entrance way through the inner rampart is visible. Traces of wooden structures were found in the small area enclosed by the inner rampart. These building remains were associated with pottery, sling stones, spindle whorls and whetstones suggesting a domestic function for the site. Some of the pottery has been identified as Late Iron Age Glastonbary Ware.
The 'beacon' element of the forts name suggests that it was the location of a beacon, the most likely context being the Elizabethan wars (see N.T.100389). The prominent position of the fort would make this a suitable site for a beacon, however, no evidence for this has come to light.
The site has suffered considerably from coastal erosion and it has been estimated that only about one quarter of the original site survives. The site was partially excavated by the Department of the Environment in 1972-3, in response to this erosin. A comparison of the ordnance survey maps from the late nineteenth century to the present shows the extent of recent loss, much of the areas excavated in 1972-3 have now been lost or are likely to be lost in the next few years.
The crest of the inner rampart still survives but is unlikely to do so for much longer. A crack has developed behind the small area of entrance works near the inner rampart and this is likely to be lost in the winter of 1995/6 if not sooner. Most of the surviving portion of the enclosed area within the inner rampart was lost in July 1995.
The 1972-3 excavations were not able to include a complete section of the outer rampart and ditch, nor was the entrance area of the outer rampart examined, this is now necessary as the increased erosion of the cliff face leaves this area more exposed. A small area of the 'intervallum' was excavated (estimated to be approx. 5%). Although little was found, a short stretch of wall foundation indicates some activity in this area and further excavation would be desirable to provide a more accurate assessment of the former use of this area, which is also under threat from erosion.
The area of the fort has been fenced off, however, the fence lies on the edge of the rampart ditch. When a new fence is required it should be moved out by approx. 3m to ensure that the fenced area encloses all of the earthwork defences and is well outside the Scheduled area. Archaeological guidance on the position of this shoul be sought. The fort was becoming increasingly coved in gorse which may have been causing damage to the underlying archaeological deposits as well as obscuring them. The gorse has been cut in recent years (later 1990's onwards). The area should be periodically grazed to prevent regrowth. Animal activity should be monitored and burroing animals should be controlled to prevent damage to the earthworks and below ground stratigraphy.

References

Designations

Other Statuses and References

Associated Events

Associated Finds

None Recorded

Related Records

None Recorded