Torberry Hillfort |
| Hob Uid: 243008 | |
Location :
West Sussex
Chichester
Harting
|
| Grid Ref : SU7790020200 |
| Summary : A slight univallate hillfort and a later postmill constructed on a chalk spur which projects to the north from a ridge of the Sussex Downs. The roughly east-west aligned, pear-shaped hillfort encloses an area of 2.8 hectares. Subsequent ploughing during the early post-medieval period has caused some disturbance to the monument, and the hillfort defences now survive as a low bank or scarp surrounded by a mainly infilled ditch. Part excavation of the monument during 1948 and between 1956-58 discovered that the hilltop defences underwent several phases of reconstruction and modification from the Early Iron Age, and remained in use until circa 100 BC. During the fifth-third centuries BC the defences defined a promontory fort, with a now infilled, north-south aligned ditch and timber-reinforced bank constructed across the central part of the monument, protecting the western end of the steeply-sided spur. During the third century BC, the ramparts were extended to enclose the whole spur-top, and a new entrance was constructed through their eastern side. This gateway was modified and elaborated during the second century BC and finally took the form of an inturned, stone-walled corridor leading to a massive timber gate. Evidence found during the investigations indicated that the gateway was destroyed in circa 100 BC. The excavations also revealed a number of now infilled storage pits within the interior of the hillfort. Analysis of pottery fragments found within them suggest that these date to the Iron Age. The later postmill was sited within the western sector of the earlier hillfort during the post-medieval period. It is represented by a low, cross shaped foundation mound, known locally as the Fairy Bed. Scheduled. |
More information : [Name centred SU 7786 2024] Hill Fort [G.T.] (1)
SU 779 204 Torberry Hill. Iron Age hill fort of 6-7 acres,
discovered by H. Brightwell who has determined much of the plan
by excavation. It is enclosed and divided by ditches into two
halves of which the larger eastern portion of Phase II is the
later. Pottery is of both Phase I and II closely resembling
that from the Trundle. Now in Lewes Museum with a horn weaving
comb, two knives an iron spearhead, and a curry comb, all of
E.I.A. (2-4)
Excavations in 1957 and 1958 by Boyden and Duncan showed that
the transverse ditch had a simple entrance and a wooden
palisade revetment, and was probably the first fortification.
This was later extended round the steep slopes of the ridge and
finally fortified the whole contour of the hill, the transverse
ridge being then levelled into its ditch. (5)
Vestigial remains of a two-phase hill-fort. Surveyed at 1:2500. (6)
Within the confines of the work, on the highest point of the
hill at SU 77872031 is a low rectangular earthen platform, some
10.0m. across, with earth "buttresses" at the four corners. It
is called the "Fairy Bed" (a) and looks to be fairly recent. It
could be the remains of a folly or even a windmill mound. (6,6a)
The 1956-8 excavations were published in 1976 by Cunliffe. He identified 8 phases of use, beginning with some possible pre-hillfort activity dated to the 6th century BC. The original defensive work is dated to the 5th century BC, with the enlargement of the defended area occurring during the 3rd-2nd centuries BC. Destruction of the eastgate is dated to c.100 BC and thereafter sporadic use of the interior occurs throughout the late Iron Age and Roman periods.-dating of 1st millennium BC pottery styles suggests that the origins of occupation at Torberry may lie in the Late Bronze Age. (8,9)
SU 780 204. Torberry. Listed in gazetteer as a univallate hillfort covering 2.8ha. (10)
Torberry. Note [with plans] on the development of the camp. Rampart isolating the western end of a promontory extended to form complete enclosure. Enclosure subsequently extended eastwards. (11) |