Scheduled Monument: Enclosure and associated outworks on Staddon Hill (1021359)

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. Selected Sources Book Reference - Title: National Monument Record - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: SS 83 NE 4 Book Reference - Author: Riley, H & Wilson-North, R - Title: The Field Archaeology of Exmoor - Date: 2001 - Page References: 65-70 - Type: DESC TEXT Book Reference - Author: Riley, H & Wilson-North, R - Title: The Field Archaeology of Exmoor - Date: 2001 - Page References: 65-70 - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: Staddon Hill Camp