The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Promontory Fort, Flemings Down

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00467m
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : St Bride's Major
Unitary authority : Vale of Glamorgan
NGR : SS88957680
Site Type (preferred type first) : Iron Age Promontory fort
Status : UA Local List (Adopted)

Summary :
The tip of a natural spur at the NW end of Fleming's Down has been cut off by a substantial bank and ditch about 20m across and 3m high. The entrance was probably at the N end. The earthwork possibly dates from the Late Iron Age or early Medieval period

Description :
The tip of a natural spur at the NW end of Fleming's Down has been cut off by a substantial bank and ditch about 20m across and 3m high. The entrance was probably at the N end. the remaining sides of the spur are protected by steep natural slopes. The date of the earthwork is uncertain, probably Late Iron Age, but may be early medieval.

A promontory fort on the N edge of Ogmore Down at 60m OD. A well defined promontory, bounded on the N by the scarp forming the edge of the Down and on the SW by a cwm, has been fortified by a substantial bank and ditch about 90m long built across its E side; the defences are slightly convex towards the E. They measure 20m wide overall, and the crest of the bank generally stands about 3m above the bottom of the ditch. The material of the bank is rocky, but no revetment is visible. The entrance was between the N end of the rampart and the steep hillside; it has been damaged by later traffic and the construction of a field-wall, and its original width is uncertain. The other two sides of the enclosure, about 100m long on the N and 140m on the SW, are followed by modern field-walls which have obscured any early features; the ground outside is very steep, and may have been artificially scarped. The interior of 0.45ha is pasture; the cross-bank and ditch are wooded. (Wiggins and Evans 2005)

Included on Vale of Glamorgan Council's List of County Treasures (Vale of Glamorgan Council).

Sources :
Cadw , Cadw Scheduled Monument Record
Ordnance Survey , 1st Edition OS map 6"
Wiggins, H and Evans, E , 2005 , Prehistoric defended enclosures in Glamorgan with recommendations for fieldwork
01/PM List/RCHM/1976/Glam Invent/No630
02/MM Record Card/OS/1978/SS 87 SE 110
03/PM Mention/CBA/Hogg AHA/1971/Arch in Wales/p10
04/MM Record Card/OS/1982/SS 87 NE 110
05/PM List/Cadw/1994/SAM Lists
06/Desc Text/Cadw/ Full Management Report/2007/ Copy in further information file

Events :
E001455 : Prehistoric defended enclosures in Glamorgan (year : 2005)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 94716 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/94716/details

Compiled date : 01-06-1977


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