(NU04813907) Possible earthwork. (1)

The enclosed area of the feature is isolated from the remainder of the cliff to the east by a natural cleft. Outside this the natural defences are supplemented by two concentric ramparts of earth and stone.
The inner rampart has a width varying from 6m to 10m and a maximum height of 1.3m. The outer rampart has an average width of 7m and a maximum height of 0.7m. There are slight indications that this outer bank turns to join the inner rampart and it is possible that its purpose was to contain an annex rather than form an outer defence.
There is a gap in the inner bank to the north-east, the terminal of the bank to the east being slightly out-turned. This gap is probably an entrance although access to the interior is also possible up the natural cleft from the north-west.
There are no traces of internal habitation. The nearest water supply is a spring and small stream approx 250m to the south.
The general situation and the method of the earthwork's construction is suggestive of a promontory fort, although the natural cleft inside the artificial defences is a feature not previously encountered in earthworks of this type. (2)

The earthwork is generally as described. There are traces of possible small enclosures between the ramparts to the south-east but these are too amorphous for survey action. Surveyed at 1/2500. (3)

Earthwork. (4)

Published 1:3500 survey revised. The siting, and strength and duplication of the artificial ramparts suggest an Iron Age fort of promontory type, but the placing of ramparts on the outside of a natural cleft is peculiar and must imply that fortification was not the primary object. It is suggested that the work is Iron Age, but a defended settlement rather than a true fort. (5)

Additional Reference (6)