Summary

Hillfort known as Capler Camp, 470m south west of Capler Farm.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 18 May 2015. The record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

This monument includes the remains of a large multivallate hillfort situated on Capler Hill overlooking the Wye Valley. The monument survives as the visible earthworks and buried features of a large multivallate hillfort, a mound and the foundations of a 17th century house. The hillfort enclosure is sub oval in plan approximately 620m long by 150m wide with entrance gaps on the eastern and south eastern sides. The hillfort is defined by a steep natural slope on the north and north western sides with two ramparts and quarry ditches circumventing the remainder of the hillfort. The rampart banks are up to 4m high and the ditches are about 5m wide. Situated to the south of the eastern entrance is a sub circular mound approximately 30m in diameter. Against this bank excavations have uncovered the stone foundations of a two roomed 17th century house with a sandstone flag floor.

The hillfort is also known as Woldbury Camp with a tradition that the camp is the burial place of a British chieftain. Excavations have revealed a 2nd century Roman coin and Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Large multivallate hillforts are defined as fortified enclosures of between 5ha and 85ha in area, located on hills and defined by two or more lines of concentric earthworks set at intervals of up to 15m. They date to the Iron Age period, most having been constructed and used between the sixth century BC and the mid-first century AD. They are generally regarded as centres of permanent occupation, defended in response to increasing warfare, a reflection of the power struggle between competing elites. Earthworks usually consist of a rampart and ditch, although some only have ramparts. Access to the interior is generally provided by two entrances although examples with one and more than two have been noted. These may comprise a single gap in the rampart, inturned or offset ramparts, oblique approaches, guardrooms or outworks. Internal features generally include evidence for intensive occupation, often in the form of oval or circular houses. These display variations in size and are often clustered, for example, along streets. Four- and six-post structures, interpreted as raised granaries, also occur widely while a few sites appear to contain evidence for temples. Other features associated with settlement include platforms, paved areas, pits, gullies, fence lines, hearths and ovens. Additional evidence, in the form of artefacts, suggests that industrial activity such as bronze- and iron-working as well as pottery manufacture occurred on many sites. In view of the rarity of large multivallate hillforts and their importance in understanding the nature of social organisation within the Iron Age period, all examples with surviving archaeological potential are believed to be of national importance.

Despite partial excavation and the construction of pathways and wire and post fences, the hillfort known as Capler Camp survives comparatively well. The interior of the hillfort, ramparts and ditches will contain layers and deposits containing important archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction and use.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:- 110314, Herefordshire SMR:- 911, 7343 & 7344, NMR:- SO 53 SE 9

Source: Historic England