The Ringses Camp (Doddington)
(NU 01353281) Camp. (1)
The Ringses fort is defended by a steep slope to the west, while the ground falls more gently on the other sides. !It is defended by four ramparts chiefly of stone, 3 to 4 feet high, and measures internally about 60 yards by 52. The entrance which is to the south-east, is flanked by a rampart on either side for a distance of some 30 yards through the defences. To the south of the entrance an enclosure, some 36 by 27 yards, is formed between the ramparts, the third rampart being for a space intermitted. Of the foundations of enclosures within the fort little could be seen owing to the strong growth of bracken. (2)
To the north a semi-circular rampart encloses a large area. There are steep scarps on the west and south, and the camp is defended by three ramparts of earth and stone. (3)
On a little scarp of rock just opposite the west entrance to the camp are several symmetrical simple cups of various sizes; no rings or ducts. (4)
Circular earthwork with multiple ramparts enclosing approx. 3/4 acre. (5)
The situation is on a slight rise at the edge of a steep escarpment which lies to the west (gradient of escarpment approx 1:2). The slopes on the other three sides are gentle. The site commands a good view except to the south where it is overlooked at a distance of approximately 1/2 mile. The land to the east, now pasture, appears to be reclaimed moorland. This side, apparently richer land may have been wooded when the earthwork was constructed.
Irregular in shape the earthwork consists of three main ramparts of earth and stones with a fourth outer bank to the west and a slight outer ditch with traces of a counterscarp bank to the south. The inner enclosure is ovoid and contained by a much mutilated bank 3m to 5m wide with a maximum height of 0.6m. Inside this is a smaller stony bank 2m to 3m wide, with a maximum height of 0.5m possibly the foundations of a wall. In profile and construction it differs from the adjacent rampart and is probably of later date.
The two outer ramparts are not concentric, their siting providing wide spaces to the north and south, probably for use as enclosures for stock. Two transverse banks cross these spaces to the south probably to isolate certain areas for stock purposes. A short stretch of bank between the middle and outer rampart and concentric with them was probably for the same purpose. The central of the three ramparts is 6m to 8m wide with an average height of 1.5m except to the west where the scarping of the natural slope increases the height to 3m. The outer rampart varies from 5m to 7m in width and from 0.6m to 2.5m in height, the greater figure applying to the scarped west side. It is mutilated by the field wall to the east. On the west side of the earthwork is a fourth outer rampart 5m wide with heights of 0.3m internally and 1m externally.
To the south is a very slight ditch 8.0m wide with a maximum depth of 0.3m. At one point there is a slight counterscarp bank, maximum height 0.3m.
The main entrance to the earthwork is to the south east and outside which the land slopes gently away to the east. At the entrance two transverse banks between the central and outer ramparts form a passage. The reason why the entrance should be sited where the ramparts are so far apart may be for defensive purposes to obtain the effect of a barbican. There are three other simple gaps in the ramparts, none certainly original except possibly that to the south, which is on the downhill side.
In the central area are three hut circles with diameter of 4m, 8m and 10m and one possible hut circle 3.5m in diameter. There are also traces of what may have been internal dividing walls.
To the north of the earthwork is a length of bank 4m to 5m wide and 0.3m to 0.7m high possibly the remains of the semi-circular rampart referred to in T22 which may have formed an outer annexe. There are no traces of occupation within this area the only feature visible being an elongated mound 0.5m high situated near the outer rampart of the main earthwork.
Further north is a very small fragment of bank 3m wide by 0.6m high. Purpose not apparent, but possibly an old field boundary although it may be associated with the earthwork.
The nearest water supply is a spring and small stream 200m to the west.
Although the situation is not strong, except on the west, the number and size of the ramparts suggest that this earthwork was defensive, and used for both habitation and stock keeping. No definite evidence for dating but the type of construction is suggestive of the Iron Age.
On the upper surface of the outcrop rock that interrupts the outer rampart to the north west are slight depressions caused by weathering. These are evidently the cups referred to in T2 (5). The depressions show no traces of artificiality and are typical of weathered rock seen elsewhere in this area. (6)
F1 generally confirmed. The two banks described by F1 as forming the inner enclosure may be
the limits of a single fragmentary feature up to 9m wide which has been much robbed. The counterscarp bank to the very slight ditch on the south described by F1 could not be discerned.
Only two of the hut circles shown by F1 could be identified, one 8m and one 9m diameter; with traces of a linking bank as described by Auth. 5. Abutting on the former is the faint outline of another 7m diameter. Entrances to these circles are not clearly defined. A hut circle 4m in diameter with a possible entrance in the south-east lies outside the innermost enclosure on the north.
Published survey (25 inch) revised. (7)
The Ringses: The interior of the fort contains two circular huts linked by a thin wall, and there is another small one between the innermost and the next rampart on the north-west.
Superficial examination suggests that in spite of the differences in construction, all the fortifications are of one period, although the huts may be later. (8)
The Ringses. Fort. (9)
Listed as pre-Roman Iron Age Multivallate (forts, settlements and enclosures), possibly with a Romano-British overlying settlement of round stone huts. (10)
Generally as described by F1 and F2. Published survey (25 inch) revised. The situation and construction of the work confirm an Iron Age classification, while its fragmentary inner bank and internal remains suggest secondary, probably Romano-British, occupation. (11)
Visible on aerial photographs. (12)
NU 014 327. Ringses, Doddington Moor. Listed in a gazetteer of British hillforts as a multivallate structure enclosing 0.28ha. (13a)
NU 014 328. The Ringses camp, Doddington Moor, 3/4 mile (1200m) E of Doddington. Scheduled No ND/92. (13b)
The site is visible on a number of aerial photographs. (13c-e)
The site has been mapped from the air as part of the Milfield Geoarchaeoloy Project. (See archive object MD000299). (13)
The Ringses fort is defended by a steep slope to the west, while the ground falls more gently on the other sides. !It is defended by four ramparts chiefly of stone, 3 to 4 feet high, and measures internally about 60 yards by 52. The entrance which is to the south-east, is flanked by a rampart on either side for a distance of some 30 yards through the defences. To the south of the entrance an enclosure, some 36 by 27 yards, is formed between the ramparts, the third rampart being for a space intermitted. Of the foundations of enclosures within the fort little could be seen owing to the strong growth of bracken. (2)
To the north a semi-circular rampart encloses a large area. There are steep scarps on the west and south, and the camp is defended by three ramparts of earth and stone. (3)
On a little scarp of rock just opposite the west entrance to the camp are several symmetrical simple cups of various sizes; no rings or ducts. (4)
Circular earthwork with multiple ramparts enclosing approx. 3/4 acre. (5)
The situation is on a slight rise at the edge of a steep escarpment which lies to the west (gradient of escarpment approx 1:2). The slopes on the other three sides are gentle. The site commands a good view except to the south where it is overlooked at a distance of approximately 1/2 mile. The land to the east, now pasture, appears to be reclaimed moorland. This side, apparently richer land may have been wooded when the earthwork was constructed.
Irregular in shape the earthwork consists of three main ramparts of earth and stones with a fourth outer bank to the west and a slight outer ditch with traces of a counterscarp bank to the south. The inner enclosure is ovoid and contained by a much mutilated bank 3m to 5m wide with a maximum height of 0.6m. Inside this is a smaller stony bank 2m to 3m wide, with a maximum height of 0.5m possibly the foundations of a wall. In profile and construction it differs from the adjacent rampart and is probably of later date.
The two outer ramparts are not concentric, their siting providing wide spaces to the north and south, probably for use as enclosures for stock. Two transverse banks cross these spaces to the south probably to isolate certain areas for stock purposes. A short stretch of bank between the middle and outer rampart and concentric with them was probably for the same purpose. The central of the three ramparts is 6m to 8m wide with an average height of 1.5m except to the west where the scarping of the natural slope increases the height to 3m. The outer rampart varies from 5m to 7m in width and from 0.6m to 2.5m in height, the greater figure applying to the scarped west side. It is mutilated by the field wall to the east. On the west side of the earthwork is a fourth outer rampart 5m wide with heights of 0.3m internally and 1m externally.
To the south is a very slight ditch 8.0m wide with a maximum depth of 0.3m. At one point there is a slight counterscarp bank, maximum height 0.3m.
The main entrance to the earthwork is to the south east and outside which the land slopes gently away to the east. At the entrance two transverse banks between the central and outer ramparts form a passage. The reason why the entrance should be sited where the ramparts are so far apart may be for defensive purposes to obtain the effect of a barbican. There are three other simple gaps in the ramparts, none certainly original except possibly that to the south, which is on the downhill side.
In the central area are three hut circles with diameter of 4m, 8m and 10m and one possible hut circle 3.5m in diameter. There are also traces of what may have been internal dividing walls.
To the north of the earthwork is a length of bank 4m to 5m wide and 0.3m to 0.7m high possibly the remains of the semi-circular rampart referred to in T22 which may have formed an outer annexe. There are no traces of occupation within this area the only feature visible being an elongated mound 0.5m high situated near the outer rampart of the main earthwork.
Further north is a very small fragment of bank 3m wide by 0.6m high. Purpose not apparent, but possibly an old field boundary although it may be associated with the earthwork.
The nearest water supply is a spring and small stream 200m to the west.
Although the situation is not strong, except on the west, the number and size of the ramparts suggest that this earthwork was defensive, and used for both habitation and stock keeping. No definite evidence for dating but the type of construction is suggestive of the Iron Age.
On the upper surface of the outcrop rock that interrupts the outer rampart to the north west are slight depressions caused by weathering. These are evidently the cups referred to in T2 (5). The depressions show no traces of artificiality and are typical of weathered rock seen elsewhere in this area. (6)
F1 generally confirmed. The two banks described by F1 as forming the inner enclosure may be
the limits of a single fragmentary feature up to 9m wide which has been much robbed. The counterscarp bank to the very slight ditch on the south described by F1 could not be discerned.
Only two of the hut circles shown by F1 could be identified, one 8m and one 9m diameter; with traces of a linking bank as described by Auth. 5. Abutting on the former is the faint outline of another 7m diameter. Entrances to these circles are not clearly defined. A hut circle 4m in diameter with a possible entrance in the south-east lies outside the innermost enclosure on the north.
Published survey (25 inch) revised. (7)
The Ringses: The interior of the fort contains two circular huts linked by a thin wall, and there is another small one between the innermost and the next rampart on the north-west.
Superficial examination suggests that in spite of the differences in construction, all the fortifications are of one period, although the huts may be later. (8)
The Ringses. Fort. (9)
Listed as pre-Roman Iron Age Multivallate (forts, settlements and enclosures), possibly with a Romano-British overlying settlement of round stone huts. (10)
Generally as described by F1 and F2. Published survey (25 inch) revised. The situation and construction of the work confirm an Iron Age classification, while its fragmentary inner bank and internal remains suggest secondary, probably Romano-British, occupation. (11)
Visible on aerial photographs. (12)
NU 014 327. Ringses, Doddington Moor. Listed in a gazetteer of British hillforts as a multivallate structure enclosing 0.28ha. (13a)
NU 014 328. The Ringses camp, Doddington Moor, 3/4 mile (1200m) E of Doddington. Scheduled No ND/92. (13b)
The site is visible on a number of aerial photographs. (13c-e)
The site has been mapped from the air as part of the Milfield Geoarchaeoloy Project. (See archive object MD000299). (13)
N3800
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1955; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1964; R D Loader
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1968; D Smith
FIELD SURVEY, Hill forts and settlements in Northumberland ; G Jobey
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1964; R D Loader
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1968; D Smith
FIELD SURVEY, Hill forts and settlements in Northumberland ; G Jobey
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