More information : (SW 933811) The Rumps (NAT) Fort (NR) (1)
The Rumps, a promontory fort defended by three banks and ditches,
with simple entrance gaps, enclosing 6.1 acres. The defences and
interior were examined between 1963 and 1967, see plans (2).
Three phases of building and two periods of occupation were
revealed. The initial settled occupation is contemporary with the
inner rampart, dated by pottery to the 2nd century BC. The
carefully constructed middle rampart which superseded the inner
was on the evidence from the excavation, the final period of
occupation which ended in the mid 1st century AD.
The outer rampart had a revetment wall and an inner wall of
markedly different construction to the middle rampart and cannot
be regarded as necessarily as of Iron Age date although no dating
evidence was found.
The earliest feature which lay behind the outer rampart, was a
V-shaped ditch with an associated mound, possibly the base for a
palisade. It is suggested as being an enclosure connected with
the inner rampart.
Evidence for a timber gateway was found in the entrance gap of
the inner rampart.
It is concluded that occupation of the interior of the fort was
intensive, as well as in the shelter of the middle and inner
ramparts where hut platforms were excavated. Domestic debris
included spindle whorls, the possible remains of a loom,
quernstones and whetstones. Sheep predominated in the animal
bones recovered.
The Rumps is defended across the neck of the promontory by triple
ramparts and ditches and on all other sides by steep natural
slopes and cliffs running down to the sea. There is a single,
obviously original, entrance through the ramparts, the inner two
of which would seem to be contemporary though the outer and
smaller rampart may be of a different date. This latter feature
is revetted on the inside by a modern wall. Parts of the ditches
are rock-cut. The occupation area cannot be identified.
Published 1/2500 survey revised. (2-5)
Included in distribution of Iron Age and Roman Sites in Cornwall. (6)
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