Lewes Castle Promontory Fort, Rhossili

Iron Age Defended Enclosures

Lewes Castle Promontory Fort in Rhossili is a defended enclosure that is believed to date back to the Iron Age period, specifically around 800 BC to AD 74. It is located on a rocky headland, and the defences of the fort consist of two concentric ramparts and ditches that cross the neck of the promontory.

The inner bank and ditch form two right angles and are approximately 5.5 meters wide and 1 meter high. They cut off a shallow hollow in the lee (sheltered) side of the headland. The outer bank and ditch, which are about 9 meters in overall width and approximately 1 meter deep, form an arc that curves around, with its ends resting on the cliff edge.

The defences of Lewes Castle Promontory Fort are designed to create a protected area within the promontory, utilizing the natural cliffs and topography of the headland. The inner bank and ditch create a barrier on the landward side, while the outer bank and ditch further reinforce the fortifications. The location of the fort on a rocky headland would have provided natural defenses, making it a strategically advantageous position during the Iron Age period.

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