Archaeology Notes

Event ID 712491

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/712491

NT23NW 17 2368 3606.

(NT 2368 3606) Fort (NR)

OS 6" map (1965)

This fort, and the settlement that superseded it, are situated 700 yds SE of Hundleshope farm, and at a height of 1000' OD, on the summit of Chester Hill, a prominent spur projecting NW from Hundleshope Heights. The nose and flanks of the spur fall steeply, but from the SE there is relatively easy access from higher ground across a small saddle.

The fort, whose irregular outline is due to the uneveness of the ground, is defended by a single wall (I on plan) and measures 250' by 150' internally. The wall has been so heavily robbed that it now survives at best as a ragged stony bank, rising in places to a height of 2' but for the most part it has been reduced to a mere crestline. No facing stones remain and the position of the en- trance is unknown. Some very slight traces of an external ditch can be seen on the E.

The settlement, which les inside the fort, is oval on plan, measuring 150' x 110' within a stone wall (II). This wall is also very much wasted as a result of stone-robbing, and on the E, where it rides over

a spine of outcrop, the debris is spread to a thickness of nearly 40'. The entrance, which is on the NNE, was excavated in 1939 and was found to be 9' in width. Its position is marked at the present time by the unfilled excavation trench, in the side of which the outer jamb stone on the SE side of the passage is visible. Within the interior there are the foundations of two circular stone-walled houses measuring 25' in diameter internally. The excavations referred to also revealed the presence of a third house immediately inside the wall to the W of the entrance. Nothing can now be seen of it, buts its approximate position is indicated on the plan by a broken line.

About 50' outside the fort wall at the ESE end there is a short isolated stony bank running somewhat obliquely across the saddle. It is clearly unfinished, and its relationship to the fort and settlement is not apparent. On the W side of this bank there is an oval pit which is said to have shown signs of burning. The excavations mentioned above, which were undertaken at a time when the site was thickly covered by trees, were inconclusive, no relics being found. (Information from A McLaren notebook 2, 5)

RCAHMS 1967, visited 1962

As described by RCAHM.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (DWR) 21 June 1971

Visible on vertical air photograph (OS 72/375/1048, flown 1972)

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM) 1991