Iron Age South Weald Camp (EHER 531)

A slight univallate Iron Age hillfort situated 300 metres west of Calcott Hall Farm. The site is almost circular in plan and comprises a defensive bank and external ditch enclosing an area of approximately 2.8 hectares.

On high ground partly within the eastern boundary of Weald Park. It is approximately circular, enclosing about 7 acres. On the east side is a rampart and steep scarp. If there was an external ditch it has gone, the northern section of defences has almost disappeared. The site of the entrance is doubtful. <1> Dated to iron age from its appearance and topographical situation. 'Where best preserved the outside scarp measures up to 3m high but is only supported by a slight lift on the inner side of the rampart'. <2> In 1975 a gas main was laid across the eastern part of the site It was observed by J M Tyldesley of the Passmore Edwards Museum but no archaeological features or finds were observed. Bank on the south side has been badly scraped by agricultural machinery. <3> <4> There is a ditch on the north side, where the slope is more gentle, west of the modern road that cuts through the camp. Traces of this ditch, filled in, are visible in the grass field east of the road. Generally much denuded, not certainly classifiable as prehistoric. <5> 3 photos in SMR. <6> See also: <7> <8> Two trenches were excavated across the defensive ditches in 1990 in an attempt to confirm the Late Iron Age date. <9> A defensive ditch forming part of the late Iron Age hill-fort was re-cut in the medieval period. This re-cut is most plausibly linked to the construction of a medieval deer park, into which the Iron Age earthwork was incorporated. Medieval pottery recovered included Early Medieval ware and Mill Green ware and dates from the 11th to 14th centuries. A contour survey of the earthwork also suggests that the area was a medieval deer park during the period 10th to 14th centuries. A contour survey of the earthwork also suggests that the area was a medieval deer park during the period 10th to 14th centuries. Three years after the excavation, a detailed contour survey of the earthwork and its immediate environs was undertaken as part of a separate project aimed at assessing the archaeological potential of the Essex Country Parks. The two trenches excavated sectioned the univallate defences in the north-west and south-west quadrants. Both the excavations and the contour survey date the beginning of the construction of the hillfort to the Late Iron Age. Dating is provided by small amounts of Late Iron Age pottery in the rampart make-up. One trench had a well-defined linear cut interpreted as a slot for a revetment at the rear of the rampart. Within the area enclosed by ditch and rampart were a number of post holes also dated to the late iron Age; they may represent internal structures. <10> <11> 1995. Field survey. <12> This site is a scheduled Ancient Monument and aspects of its management are controlled by legislation. Over half of the monument lies outside the country park beneath the local cricket pitch. The area within the park is under woodland with overgrown undergrowth. Current management practices should continue. Further recording, evaluation and assessment of the monument would help to increase the understanding of the site and aid in its presentation to the public <13> See also: <14> NRHE data transfer: South Weald Camp (Plateau Fort), is approximately circular in shape and encloses about seven acres. The existing defences consist, on the east side, of a rampart and steep scarp, and on the west side of a partly natural scarp. The external ditch, if it ever existed, has been destroyed and the northern section of the defences have almost disappeared. The position of the entrance is doubtful. Poor condition. <1> As described above, classified as probably Iron Age from its general appearance and topographical position. <15> Listed as an Iron Age Hill Fort. <16> Description by authority 2 correct. Where best preserved the outside scarp measures up to 3.0m high but is only supported by a slight lift on the inner side of the rampart. <17> See also: <18> <19> <20>