Summary

Defended settlement, 435m south west of Etive Cottage.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 26 May 2016. This 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.

The monument includes the remains of a defended settlement of Iron Age date with overlying settlement of Romano-British date, situated on the summit of Isabella’s Mount. At the centre of the settlement is the nearly complete remains of a sub-circular enclosure measuring approximately 45m east-west and 50m north-south. It is surrounded by a single bank and ditch with the remains of two parallel outer banks on the south side. The main bank varies in width from 3m to 4m and has an average height of 0.8m. The enclosure is surrounded by at least four irregular annexes formed by banks with an average width of 4m and a height varying from 0.3m to 0.8m. Within the interior of the enclosure are at least three hut circles which vary in diameter from 4m to 7m.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

During the Iron Age a variety of different types of defensive settlements began to be constructed and occupied in the northern uplands of England. The most obvious sites were hillforts built in prominent locations. In addition to these a range of smaller sites, sometimes with an enclosed area of less than 1ha and defined as defended settlements, were also constructed. Some of these were located on hilltops, others are found in less prominent positions. The enclosing defences were of earthen construction, some sites having a single bank and ditch (univallate), others having more than one (multivallate). At some sites these earthen ramparts represent a second phase of defence, the first having been a timber fence or palisade. Within the enclosure a number of stone or timber-built round houses were occupied by the inhabitants. Stock may also have been kept in these houses, especially during the cold winter months, or in enclosed yards outside them. The communities occupying these sites were probably single family groups, the defended settlements being used as farmsteads. Construction and use of this type of site extended over several centuries, possibly through to the early Romano-British period (mid to late first century AD). Defended settlements are a rare monument type. They were an important element of the later prehistoric settlement pattern of the northern uplands and are important for any study of the developing use of fortified settlements during this period. All well-preserved examples are believed to be of national importance.

Despite some disturbance from a quarry on its north side, the defended settlement south west of Etive Cottage is substantially intact and is well-preserved. The presence of multiple phases of occupation within the enclosure provides insight into the continuity of settlement practice from the Iron Age into the Romano-British period. The monument will contain archaeological deposits relating to its construction, use and abandonment and environmental deposits relating to the use of the surrounding landscape.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:- 7393

Source: Historic England