Archaeology Notes

Event ID 730263

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/730263

NY38NW 2 3045 8834

(NY 3041 8833) Ancient Earthwork (NAT)

OS 6" map (1957)

This enclosure, listed by Jobey among 'Smaller Forts and Defended Settlements', is situated some 850ft OD, on the NE face of Shaw Hill. Oval on plan it measures 240ft NW-SE by 183ft transversely, surrounded by a stony mound, accompanied by a well-formed external ditch and counterscarp bank. The NE quadrant of the interior has been formed into an inner enclosure, bounded by a stony bank. There are entrances in the N, S and E; the RCAHMS also note a possible entrance in the W. Jobey adds there are traces of a possible secondary settlement, still with round, timber-built huts, within the original enclosure.

RCAHMS 1920, visited 1912; G Jobey 1971.

NY 3045 8834. This sub-oval settlement is very well preserved. The bank averages 1.7m high and the ditch is 1.1m deep. Jobey's plan is incorrectly oriented; the inner enclosure is in the NW quadrant with the entrance in the NW and a possible second entrance in the NE. The gaps in the SW and SE probably result from a track which crossed the site. (The NE hillslope and the orientation of the main axis, however, are correct). The sloping interior has minor hollow-ways, scarps and at least two scooped hut sites.

Surveyed at 1/10,000.

Visited by OS (MJF) 30 September 1979.