Summary

Defended settlement, 836m south of West Moneylaws.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 17 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 univallate defended settlement of Iron Age date, situated on the summit of Moneylaws Hill with extensive views in all directions. The enclosure measures 151m north east-south west and 91m north west-south east. It is surrounded by a single bank and ditch which in the northern half of the monument survive as a low earthwork and in the southern half survive as a cropmark. The form and landscape setting of the monument indicate it to be an Iron Age enclosure.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

During the earlier Iron Age (seventh to fifth centuries BC) 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.

The value of the defended settlement south of West Moneylaws is enhanced by the presence of a broadly contemporary settlement enclosure lower down on the east slopes of Moneylaws Hill. Despite the erosion of its upstanding earthworks, the monument is partially preserved as a low earthwork. The remaining ramparts and below ground features of the monument will contain archaeological deposits relating to its construction, use and abandonment.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:- 1197

Source: Historic England