High Houses camp (Whittingham and Callaly)
[NU 03010951] Camp (site of). (1)
High Houses camp is on the farm of Cross Hill. It is on high ground and commands the vale of Whittingham, particularly to the west. It is nearly ploughed down, but its form can still be seen. It was an oval, about 100 yards east and west, 90 yards north and south, defended apparently by a strong rampart and deep ditch.
The interior has been about 120 paces in diameter, the ditch about 15 paces wide and 5 paces outward slope, making in the whole about 160 yards across the circle. Vestiges of rampart are evident enough on the southern and eastern sides, but may be traced all round. (2)
Cross Hill (site) Oval single ramparted earthwork, approximately 1.5 acres at 55deg 22' 45" N Lat; 1deg 57' 10" W Long. (3)
Callaley High Houses (Cross Hill) (ploughed down). Type B2 (forts on high ground less dependent on natural slopes for protection). (4)
Situated astride a ridge at 650ft above sea level the earthwork has natural slopes to the north and south, the former being very steep (approximately 1:4). To the east and west extends the level summit of the ridge. There is an uninterrupted all-round view.
The remains which are partially in pastureland and partially in a conifer plantation are represented by an oval shaped platform the slopes of which merge with those of the ridge, and are discernible only at the top. Slight declensions of the slopes to the north and south-east may represent original entrances.
No internal features are visible and the remains are too meagre to indicate a date or purpose, although the position may suggest that the earthwork was defensive in character.
There is no stream in the immediate vicinity, but a covered reservoir on the summit of the ridge indicates the existence of an accessible water table. (5)
The site of the work, as noted by F1, is plainly visible as a 'platform', but although the course of the rampart can be envisaged throughout, it is too spread to admit of accuracy.
General form and proportions suggest the site to be that of an Iron Age enclosure, though not of fort strength. (6)
High Houses camp is on the farm of Cross Hill. It is on high ground and commands the vale of Whittingham, particularly to the west. It is nearly ploughed down, but its form can still be seen. It was an oval, about 100 yards east and west, 90 yards north and south, defended apparently by a strong rampart and deep ditch.
The interior has been about 120 paces in diameter, the ditch about 15 paces wide and 5 paces outward slope, making in the whole about 160 yards across the circle. Vestiges of rampart are evident enough on the southern and eastern sides, but may be traced all round. (2)
Cross Hill (site) Oval single ramparted earthwork, approximately 1.5 acres at 55deg 22' 45" N Lat; 1deg 57' 10" W Long. (3)
Callaley High Houses (Cross Hill) (ploughed down). Type B2 (forts on high ground less dependent on natural slopes for protection). (4)
Situated astride a ridge at 650ft above sea level the earthwork has natural slopes to the north and south, the former being very steep (approximately 1:4). To the east and west extends the level summit of the ridge. There is an uninterrupted all-round view.
The remains which are partially in pastureland and partially in a conifer plantation are represented by an oval shaped platform the slopes of which merge with those of the ridge, and are discernible only at the top. Slight declensions of the slopes to the north and south-east may represent original entrances.
No internal features are visible and the remains are too meagre to indicate a date or purpose, although the position may suggest that the earthwork was defensive in character.
There is no stream in the immediate vicinity, but a covered reservoir on the summit of the ridge indicates the existence of an accessible water table. (5)
The site of the work, as noted by F1, is plainly visible as a 'platform', but although the course of the rampart can be envisaged throughout, it is too spread to admit of accuracy.
General form and proportions suggest the site to be that of an Iron Age enclosure, though not of fort strength. (6)
N2732
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; D A Davies
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