Monument record MDO1788 - Hillfort near Burcombe Farm, North Poorton

An enclosure on a triangular spur formed by a ditch across the spur and steepening of the natural slope on the other three sides, where there are traces of ramparts in places. The internal area of the enclosure is around one acre.

Deep cut across neck of spur at (a) Remains of a stone wall at west end enclosing hummocks probable site of Castle or other building. Hill has very steep sides - Mediaeval? Rampart. <1> Earthwork (?) <2> A hillfort, situated on a triangular shaped spur, connected at its narrow end or apex to the main hill. The simple defences consist of a transverse ditch across the narrow end, and the scarping of the remaining three sides of the spur some 12-20 ft below the top, to form a berm. The scarping is least pronounced on the N. slope There are no traces of a ditch, but traces of a slight rampart exist at the W. side of the earthwork. "Just beyond the transverse ditch on the E is a short length of rampart along the crest of the narrow causeway-like end of the spur, and immediately S. of the same is a roughly triangular berm which has a slight ditch at its W. end", divided from the main transverse ditch by a slight bank. Half way along the S. side of the earthwork, on the berm, is a slight transverse bank of uncertain date. Within the enclosure are traces of an irregular mound which may be largely natural. <3> The description contained in <3> is generally correct though the classification as a hillfort is questionable partly because the earthwork is so small. Though defences are in Iron Age style the point is not conclusive since whatever the age of the site scarping the hillside and throwing a ditch across the narrow neck would be the obvious method of protection. The site is in a topographically strong position. The interior is composed of black soil in contrast to the light brown natural soil of the area. In almost all of the innumerable molehills fragments of split bones - apparently of animals - were found. Many of the bones had been burned. The site is grass covered and there were no pottery finds, or signs of occupation. C is an irregular mound which shows traces of stone work. It has an average height of 0.5m. The average drop of the scarp in the North is 4.0m and in the South it varies from 5.0 to 7.0m. The average inner height of the bank in the west is 0.6m. The bank is much broken. The entrance is in the East where the ditch has been cut through the spur. It is partly hewn through rock and has a rough and unfinished appearance. An adequate water supply is available in the streams to the north and to the south of the site. From the general uneven appearance of the interior and the entrance it seems almost certain that this earthwork is post Roman. <4> Though defensive in construction this feature is not prehistoric in appearance, and a parallel to a similar Dorset e/w. cannot be drawn. The classification of Md. in T.1. - despite lack of evidence - may possibly be correct. Quoted "length of rampart ..." to the E. of the main feature <3> is, in fact, an old field bank. No trace of walling as in <1>. <5> [centred at: SY 51209886]. <6> Surveyed. (7)

Record last edited

Jan 3 2023 11:39AM