Summary
earthwork component of suspected iron age ritual enclosure
Identification Images (0)
Most Recent Monitoring
None Recorded
Monument Types
- BANK (EARTHWORK) (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
Description
An inner enclosure, SE of the centre of the outer enclosure, is defined by this feature with 30652D and 30652E. This ditch commences running parallel to, and 5m E of, 31487. The southern side of the inner enclosure is broadly E/W aligned and cut into natural slopes, but the first 7m (N/S aligned) seems to be defined by an artificial mound (at least in part). The ditch floor is 1.5m wide, and the section is terminated by a transverse bank - undoubtedly intrusive and probably associated with a cutting down to 31487, just to the W. The outer bank 30652/2 commences just S of this transverse feature. I30652/3 is up to 2.5m wide and 1.5m above outside ground level. A large ash tree stands on it, just N of which it is cut by a path route. There are two large sheep hollows in the outside of the bank - must be consolidated, this important feature is under considerable pressure.
The banking curves SE beyond the ash, and merges with natural slopes after c.5m. The ditch here is 2.5m deep, with a sharp profile where it cuts natural slopes to the S. The S side of the ditch has suffered considerable rabbit damage, then accentuated by sheep, which is ongoing. 12m E of the ash tree a broad path scar cuts the S face - though ironically its vegetation is intact, unlike the slopes to either side.
The feature finishes abruptly to the E, as shown on the VCH (1912) plan. At its end it is cut across by a water pipe trench installed by the tenant c.10 years ago. What is not clear from the VCH plan is how clearly the feature terminates and is faced by an artifical opposing bank (30652/6) arguably of the same date.
Other Statuses and References
None Recorded
Associated Events
None Recorded
Associated Finds
None Recorded