| Summary : A multiple enclosure fort of late Iron Age date, located on the summit of a hill 3.5 kilometres south east of Perranporth on the north Cornish coast. The interior of the fort is surrounded by three concentric lines of defence. The inner oval area is 40 metres east-west by 22 metres north-south and occupies the highest ground available within the hillfort. It is defended by a rampart 3.5 metres high surrounded by a ditch 4.9 metres wide. The middle line of defence, which surrounds the central core at distances of between 22 metres and 26 metres, includes a rampart 2 metres high fronted by a ditch 3.9 metres wide which is less visible on the southern side of the hillfort. A counterscarp bank follows the line of this ditch along part of its northern circuit. A third concentric ditch, but near circular rather than oval, is just visible in a series of slight scarps on the break of slope at distances of between 60 metres and 90 metres from the inner defended area; this outwork has a diameter of 230 metres. A bank forming part of a hedge on the south west side, may also represent part of these outer defences. |
More information : (SW 777521) Caer Dane (NR) (1)
Caer Dane, a hill-top site, with three concentric enclosures,
ploughed down and partly levelled. (2-3)
Caer Dane is a roughly oval hilltop enclosure with two concentric
ditched ramparts. The outer, with only the bank extant over
the greater extent, measures about 100m. N-S x 80m E-W, the
inner about 56 x 45m. with an entrance in the west. The plan,
size and situation might suggest a medieval ringwork but it is
assumed, within a Cornish context, to be IA. There is no evidence,
either on the ground or on APs, that the outer ditches shown
on OS 25" 1906 ever existed. The feature as a whole is covered
in almost impenetrable thorn.
Published 1:2500 survey revised. (4)
Listed. (5)
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