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Latitude: 55.4737 / 55°28'25"N
Longitude: -2.8239 / 2°49'25"W
OS Eastings: 348018
OS Northings: 620289
OS Grid: NT480202
Mapcode National: GBR 85Q4.FN
Mapcode Global: WH7X7.LPJ6
Entry Name: Ashkirkshiel earthwork 1600m SE of Ashkirktown
Scheduled Date: 13 March 1962
Last Amended: 9 January 1996
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM2224
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric domestic and defensive: fort (includes hill and promontory fort)
Location: Ashkirk
County: Scottish Borders
Electoral Ward: Selkirkshire
Traditional County: Roxburghshire
The monument is a hillfort of the Iron Age some 2000 to 2500 years old, situated on a ridge.
The fort is defended on the easy NE approach by 3 ramparts, each fronted by a slight ditch. The two innermost ramparts lie close together; the outermost lies some 15m to 20m beyond. The inner rampart, which continues around the E, W and S sides, encloses an area measuring 60m square. To the SW of this enclosure, on the end of the ridge, is an annex enclosed by a low rampart on its E, W and S sides. Within the main enclosure are the remains of several circular house stances. The overall dimensions of the fort are c 170m NE-SW by 70m transversely.
The area to be scheduled includes the whole of the fort and an area around in which traces of activities associated with its construction and use will survive, and measures 210m NE-SW by 110m transversely.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance as a well preserved hillfort with more than one phase of construction and use which contains well preserved remains of domestic structures, and has the potential to enhance considerably our understanding of prehistoric settlement, defence and economy.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
The monument is recorded in the RCAHMS as NT 42 SE 13.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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