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MAES KNOLL

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DESCRIPTION

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Earthwork remains of a univallate Iron Age hillfort.

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[Centred ST 60056605] MAES KNOLL CAMP [NR]
[ST 59856623] MAESKNOLL TUMP [NR]. (1)

On the end of Maes Knoll is an Iron Age hillfort, triangular
in shape, with an entrance at the southern angle. The western
approach to the fort is dominated by a cross-bank and ditch of
enormous dimensions, Maes Knoll Tump, measuring 200 ft.
overall, 89 ft. on the scarp, 25ft. vertical above the interior
of the fort and 50 ft. above the bottom of the ditch. The gap
between the Tump and the northern scarp is probably original
though enlarged. Of the northern defences only a trace of a
bank remains.

The remainder of the defences are comparatively slight, a
single bank and rock-cut ditch, heavily ploughed down on the
south. (2)

Norton Malreward, Maes Knoll Camp. Scheduled. (3)

The hillfort has been re-surveyed at a scale of 1:2500. The
defences are heavily dependent of the strong natural position,
and largely consist of a steepening of the existing natural
scarps. The exception to this is the immense rampart and ditch
built on the north west side which bars the only level approach. (4)

IA 'A' pottery found near northern entrance by P.A. Rahtz. To
be published in U.B.S.S. proceedings. (5)

Prof. Tratman considers the generally accepted N.E. corner of
the hillfort to be Wansdyke and that the IA defence continued
further to the E.

Ground evidence supports this view. Traces of a low spread bank
follow the edge of the plateau first eastwards and then
southwards to rejoin the Wansdyke and hillfort bank and ditch. This
is strategically sound for only by including this area can the
whole of the eastern approach be covered.

Published survey (1/2500) revised. (6)

Additional reference (7)

Maes Knoll Camp, an essentially univallate earthwork enclosing
c. 26acres. The cross-ridge rampart with outer ditch at the NW corner, known as Maes Knoll Tump has been used to form the W end of W Wansdyke. (8)

Iron Age pottery, two worked flints and a whetstone found in plough
soil at the E end of the camp indicate disturbance of the Iron Age
levels, 1985. (9)

Additional reference (10)

Maes Knoll. Description with plan. (11)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) General reference

OS 6' 1902

( 2) General reference

Arch. J. 115, 1958, pp.1 26, 28. (A. & C. Fox)

( 3) General reference

AMs England & Wales 1958, p.67 (M.O.W.)

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

F1 GHP 20-FEB-62

( 5a) General reference

Dr. E.K. Tratman, Hon. Corr. Penrose Cottage, Burrington

( 5) Field Investigators Comments

F2 EG 13-MAR-62

( 6b) General reference

Proc. U.B.S.S. 10 (1) 1962-3 p11. (E.K. Tratman)

( 6) Field Investigators Comments

F3 JP 16-DEC-65

( 7) General reference

Ancient Ewks & Camps of Somerset 62-3 illus (E Burrow)

( 8) General reference

BARG Field Guide 1a, Prehist Sites in Mendip, S Cotswold, Wye Valley & Bristol 1970 26 (L Grinsell)

( 9) General reference

Bristol & Avon Arch 5 1986 43-4,51 (R Williams,R Iles,H White)

(10) General reference

BAR 91 1981 Hillfort Settlement in Somerset 206-7 (I Burrow)

(11) General reference

VCH Somerset 2 1911 477-9

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