More information : At SX 10256108 a multivallate earthwork on the E end of
a narrow spur was re-discovered by Mrs Irwin when examining AP's
in 1972. A field visit produced one fragment of Samian from a molehill. The OS 3" drawing shows an earthwork named "Uzella", and
the 1st Edn 1" shows a "Camp" symbol. The Tithe Map name is simply
"Green Park".
The features, much ploughed down and spread, are now under pasture,
and comprise three elements. Firstly, a square enclosure of about 1
hectare; the bank or rampart now visible as a scarp, the E and W sides across the spur) 0.6m high and the N and S sides 1.6m high
but merging into the natural slope. The entrance is in the S
side where the scarp is lower and indented.
20.0m distant, and enclosing all sides but the E, (where the ground
drops steeply) is an outer rampart. It is not fully traceable on the
ground but on parts of the N and S sides is up to 1.7m high
and shows a definite inturning on the S towards the entrance. The
third elem
ent is a straight rampart 50.0m to the W across the
ridge and with a flanking turn at the N end which may originally
have continued eastwards to form a third enclosing work. In all
case no outer ditches survive.
The earthworks are probably of native origin within the Ro period
but do not readily fall into a specific class. The spur-top
situation and their complexity extend beyond the normal 'Round'
type settlement, while the regularity and angularity suggest
Ro influence. The situation com
mands both a confluence of valleys
and a long stretch of the formerly navigable Fowey River, a
defensive rather than a pastoral settlement but not a Ro
military work.
Its purpose - such as a trading station - is simply speculative until excavation can resolve the matter.
Surveyed at 1:2500. (1)
(SX 10256108) Settlement (NR). (2)
The site should probably be placed in the wide spaced rampart group
of SW hillforts. By association with similar sites it can be
dated to the late pre-Roman Iron Age
with continuing use into
the Romano-British period.
A small fragment of red glazed pottery was found, and the upper
stone of a rotary quern dated to 4th-6th centuries (see excavations
of Trethurgy Round, SX 05 NW 7) came from a pile of stones by a
gate in the west hedge.
(For Roman finds in the neighbourhood of Restormel Castle, see
SX 16 SW 39). (3,4)
A magnetometer survey and further fieldwork confirms that this is a Roman fort comparable to that at nanstallon. (5) |