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STOKELEIGH CAMP

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Earthwork remains of an Iron Age multivallate promontory fort or hillfort with occupation dating from the late pre-Roman Iron Age to the mid to late 2nd century AD. Scheduled.

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[ST 55957328] Stokeleigh Camp [NR]. (1)

Stokeleigh Camp [see plan AO:61:232:1] covers an area of about
7 1/2 acres. On the north east it is flanked by natural cliffs
overlooking the Avon valley, to the south there is a single
line of defence overlooking the steep slopes of Nightingale
Valley, showing evidence of dry walling. There is an outer
rampart at the western end.

On the north-western side are two massive ramparts, the inner
vallum rising in places to a height of 30 ft. above the bottom
of the ditch, and showing clear evidence of dry walling for
nearly its entire length. From the northern end a third low
ridge, gradually diverging from the others, is traceable. Seyer
(a) figures it, [see AO 61 232.3] forking at the end. Manby (b)
shows an entrance near the end of the ramparts to the north.
[See AO 61 232 2.]

It is where the modern path enters the camp and on the eastern
side, where it crosses the inner rampart, that stones seem to
suggest a gateway. Near the entrance shown by Seyer to the
south-west (not apparent now) are the possible remains of a
building. There is an artificial mound at the south-east corner. (2)

Long Ashton. Stokeleigh Camp. Scheduled. (3)

The description of the earthworks by Lloyd Morgan is generally
accurate. The third rampart on the NW seems to have defined an
annexe and has two transverse banks on the south between it and
the second rampart. There is no clearly defined entrance. No
trace was found of a building to the SW or of an artificial
mound in the SE corner. (4)

Resurveyed at 1/2500. The third rampart on the NW has the
appearance of being a covering work for the approach to an
entrance on the north, rather than an annexe enclosure. It
turns westward but does not fork at its southern end.

The function of the two small transverse banks is not clear. (5)

No change. (6)

Stokeleigh Camp is the NW member of a group of three
presumptive Iron Age hillforts overlooking the Avon Gorge (see
also ST 57 SE 21 and 37).

Limited excavation, see plans, (7), indicate occupation between
the late pre-Roman Iron Age and the mid-late 2nd century AD.

The defences, see plan (8), reach major proportions on the west
side, rising 30m. from the ditch base. At this point are
survivals of the substantial dry wall which once surmounted the
rampart; a similar wall surmounted the southern rampart.

The gradual divergence of the line of the smallest of the three
ramparts occurs across the spur, where it appears to fork. The
southern arm of the fork is mentioned by Seyer (a) as an
earthwork but it is almost certainly a probably modified
natural feature.

The main entrance is probably close to the north cliffs where
the middle and inner ditches were never cut, and there is a
broad sloping ramp leading into the camp interior. It passes
close to the undated building (ST 55967339).

When the outer bank and ditch were made the route of approach
to the northern entrance could only have been along the flat
ground between the middle ditch and outer bank.

The almost rectangular enclosure, 18m. N-S by 30m. E-W (ST
55817329), with a contemporary narrow gap, cannot be given any
specific use as there is no obvious closing bank at the east.

The occupation evidence obtained from the excavated area shows
original settlement during the late-pre Roman period when the
soil was cleared and the ground levelled. During this time the
large inner rampart was built. Habitation continued without a
substantial break until the middle of the 1st century AD;
during the latter part of this occupation Belgic influences
would appear to have been present, although some of the pottery
shows Durotrigian features. After a break the site appears to
have been re-used during the middle to late 2nd century AD.

Finds in the excavation included a possible coin of Gallenius
(AD 253-68), most of the dating evidence in all layers being
pottery. Area J produced pottery of the same range as Area D,
but included an iron-involuted brooch of La Tene II type, which
is usually found in contexts dating from 3rd century to late
1st century BC. (7-8)

Additional references. (9-10)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1930-38

( 2a) General reference

Memoirs of Bristol 1821 p. 65 (Seyer)

( 2b) General reference

Fugitive Sketches of Clifton 1802, plan p. 12 (G. W. Manby)

( 2) Proceedings of the Clifton Antiquarian Club

plan, photo (C. Lloyd Morgan) 5 - 1900 Page(s)19-22

( 3) General reference

A.M. England & Wales 1st Suppl. to 1957 List, 1959 8 (MOW)

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

F1 NVQ 15-FEB-62

( 5) Field Investigators Comments

F2 G. Stanhope-Lovell S/Svyr. 25.6.62

( 6) Field Investigators Comments

F3 GHP 04-MAR-65

( 7) University of Bristol Spelaeological Society proceedings

plans (J W Haldane) 11 - 1965-8 Page(s)31-8

( 8) University of Bristol Spelaeological Society proceedings

(J W Haldane) 14 - 1 - 1975 Page(s)29

( 9) General reference

Ancient Ewks & Camps of Somerset 1924 46-7 illus (I Burrow)

(10) General reference

BAR 91 1981 Hillfort Settlement in Somerset 221-2 (I Burrow)

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