| Summary : The remains of an Iron Age promontory fort, 330 metres south-east of Middleton Dean. There are steep slopes to the north and east sides and artificial defences have been constructed around the south and west. The fort measures 115 metres by 50 metres. The artificial defences comprise an earth and stone rampart and an external ditch. The rampart measures 5 metres wide and up to 2.5 metres high, and the ditch is 8 metres wide and 3 metres deep, from the top of the rampart. There are also remains of an outer bank in places, measuring 2 metres wide and 0.2 metres high. There is a 1.5 metre wide causewayed entrance at the north-western end of the defences. The hillfort was re-occupied in the Romano-British period and a settlement consisting of up to 6 houses, some with associated courtyards, was established. During the medieval/post medieval period, 2 shielings and three sheep pens were constructed over the remains of the Romano-British settlement. Scheduled. |
| More information : [NT 99782194] Camp [NR] (1)
Promontory Fort in good condition.Evidence of secondary occupation(2)
A double-ringed camp, fortified at the neck (3) Plan (4)
North Heddon Moor (South Middleton Moor). An earthwork with a single
rampart and cliff forming part of the defence. Area enclosed approx
3/4 acre (5) Type A1 (Cliff Forts) (6)
The defences consist of two ramparts 18 yards apart across the
headland. The entrance appears to have been near the NW end.
Foundations are visible within the enclosed area (7)
NT 99792194. A cliff fort, upon a headland dropping away towards
the NE, with a level plateau to the SW. The earthworks consist of
two parallel features, rampart and ditch, running NW-SE, enclosing
an area which is bounded to N and NE by precipitous slopes. A
simple entrance is towards the NW end of the rampart, and the ditch
is filled in at this point. Two interior banks form small
enclosures within the earthwork, one to the NW end, and one to the
SE end, both running N-S from the rampart to the cliff. The NW
interior bank has a small simple entrance against the rampart.
There are the foundations of two rectangular, contiguous
constructions against the interior of the rampart in the NW half,
composed of loose stones. There are traces of a hut circle in the
SE half of the main enclosure.
The interior height of the rampart is 2.5m; the depth of the ditch
from the exterior is 1.5m, and from the top of the rampart 3.0m.
The size of the rampart in relationship to the area of the enclosure,
suggests that the enclosure was of greater extent originally.
There are signs of much slumping along the base of the cliff.
The nearest water supply is to the NW.
The situation of the earthwork, and the size of the rampart are
typical of the Iron Age period. (8)
Published survey (25") revised. (9)
A well-preserved fort, which in common with others in the area,
shows evidence of secondary occupation in the form of a small
internal courtyard at the north end of the work; possible sites of
two stone-founded huts; and a minor dividing bank.
Rectangular foundations abutting the interior of the rampart are
either those of later buildings, or sheep shelters.
No change since reports of 10 10 55 and 20 9 69.
Surveyed at 1:10 000 on MSD. (10)
NT 998 219. Dod Hill (North) camp. Scheduled No ND/201. (11)
The remains of an Iron Age promontory fort, 330 metres south-east of Middleton Dean. There are steep slopes to the north and east sides and artificial defences have been constructed around the south and west. The fort measures 115 metres by 50 metres. The artificial defences comprise an earth and stone rampart and an external ditch. The rampart measures 5 metres wide and up to 2.5 metres high, and the ditch is 8 metres wide and 3 metres deep, from the top of the rampart. There are also remains of an outer bank in places, measuring 2 metres wide and 0.2 metres high. There is a 1.5 metre wide causewayed entrance at the north-western end of the defences. Within the fort are the remains of 2 hut circles and an internal dividing bank forming a smaller enclosure at the north-west end. Sheep pens have been built against and over the ramparts. Scheduled. (12)
The hillfort was surveyed in 2003 by the English Heritage landscape investigation team. The hillfort is much as described by Authority 12 and there is clear evidence that the earthworks were originally more extensive. The ramparts are largely earthen and are suffering extensive erosion. There is no evidence for occupation that is contemporary with the hillfort. The survey revealed that the hut circles and courtyards noted by previous Authorities are in fact part of a previously unrecognised Romano-British settlement consisting of 6 houses and associated yards. This settlement consists of 5 different phases of growth.
Later occupation and activity in the medieval or post medieval period is evidenced by 2 shielings, 3 enclosures and ridge and furrow ploughing.
The hillfort was surveyed at 1:500 scale (13)
The site is visible as earthworks in lidar and was mapped as part of the Northern Cheviot Hills Aerial Investigation and Mapping Project. (14)
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