Summary
Neolithic causewayed enclosure, oval in shape, just south of the northern escarpment. To the north of the track the surrounding ditch can be made out flanked by banks. These only survive as low mounds no more than 50 cm at their highest point. Gaps in the bank and ditch can also be seen.
Identification Images (3)
Monument Types
- CAUSEWAYED ENCLOSURE (Early Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)
Description
Monument no. SM20194
EH Site No.30907
WSCC No.341
Neolithic causeway camp, oval in shape, just south of the northern escarpment. Vegetation to the south of the farm track that cuts through one end of the enclosure obscures details of its construction.. To the north of the track the surrounding ditch can be made out flanked by banks. These only survive as low mounds no more than 50 cm at their highest point. Gaps in the bank and ditch can also be seen. The field has been ploughed right up to the very edge of the enclosure and damage is being sustained by vehicular traffic cutting across the enclosure from the track.
This scheduled site is one of the major archaeological sites on the estate. Its condition is vulnerable and current management inadequate to prevent further damage. The bridlepath currently cutting through the southern half of the camp is highly destructive, this destruction is compounded by vehicles turning off the track and cutting through the northern half of the camp where no track exists. This is occurring at least two points along the bridlepath.
The perimeter of the camp, to the north of the bridlepath, is also threatened by ploughing which occurs right upto the edge of the site. To the south of the bridlepath the site is covered in long grass and scrub vegetation obscuring it.
TOPOGRAPHY/GEOLOGY: Gentle southward slope of chalk downland.
RELATIONSHIP: Close to a number of BA barrows. Near the brow of the northern escarpment.
HEIGHT: 0.5m
ORIENTATION: N-S Archaeological Comments - Site:121016*0 This small neolithic enclose is one of the main archaeological sites on the estate. It has alrady been excavated and surveyed a number of times with little result. Apart from flint scatteres it is the only Neolithic site on the estate.
The 1995 Royal Commision survey generally confirmed the results of previous fieldwork at the site, with the addition of significant details, and aerial photographic analysis did not reveal any further information.
References
- SNA62644 - Unpublished document: RCHME. 1995. RCHME Survey Report of Barkhale Camp, Arundel, West Sussex (Slindon).
- SNA67624 - Report: Historic England. 2016. The High Woods from above National Mapping Programme.
- SNA68133 - Plan: 1956. Annotated plan of excavations at Barkhale camp, 1958-61.
- SNA68134 - Plan: 1983. Annotated plan of excavations at Barkhale camp, 1978.
- SZL1204 - Monograph: Stuart P Piggott. 1954. Neolithic Cultures of the British Isles.
- SZL14708 - Photograph - colour: Chris Whitfield. 01/10/1993. Barkhale Camp, Bridlepath cutting through site, contrasting N & S sections. 53.
- SZL18039 - Photograph - colour: Chris Whitfield. 01/10/1993. Barkhale Camp, Panorama 2 of 3. 45B.
- SZL22910 - Photograph - colour: Chris Whitfield. 01/10/1993. Barkhale Camp, Damage caused by vehicles to site. 43.
- SZL28606 - Photograph - colour: Chris Whitfield. 01/10/1993. Barkhale Camp, Panorama 1 of 3. 45A.
- SZL3501 - Monograph: E Cecil Curwen. 1954. The Archaeology of Sussex.
- SZL36845 - Slide: 01/01/1986. Barkhale Camp, Aerial photograph.
- SZL36850 - Slide: Chris Whitfield. 01/10/1993. Barkhale Camp, Road damage.
- SZL39900 - Photograph - colour: Chris Whitfield. 01/10/1993. Barkhale Camp, S. section planted with young trees and scrub. 44.
- SZL44073 - Photograph - colour: Chris Whitfield. 01/10/1993. Barkhale Camp, Panorama 3 of 3. 45C.
- SZL5127 - Document: J Clipson. The Excavations at BarkHale, Sussex 1958-61.
- SZL8909 - Article in serial: P E Leach. 1983. The Excavation of a Neolithic Causwayed Enclosure on Barkhale Down. 121.
- SZL9460 - Article in serial: E Cecil Curwen. 1936. On Sussex flint arrowheads. 77.
Other Statuses and References
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Environmentally Sensitive Area
- HER/SMR Reference (External): 1714
- National Monuments Record Reference: SU91SE31/249593
Associated Events
- ENA4373 - Field Survey, RCHME Survey Report of Barkhale Camp, Arundel, West Sussex
- ENA9061 - Heritage Assessment, 'Secrets of the High Woods' Lidar Survey and National Mapping
- ENA10242 - Remote Sensing, UAV survey of Bignor Hill
Associated Finds
None Recorded
Related Records
None Recorded