Moated site

The National Monuments Service's description

In flat terrain at base of gentle S-facing slope. Stream flows into fosse at SE angle. Moated site surrounded by pasture to E and S, tillage to N and abandoned, partially built sileage pit to W. Interior heavily planted with conifers, only outer edge of monument is accessible. Moated site defined by slight bank (Wth 1.3m crest, 1.7m base; int. H 0.45m; ext. H 1.8m), largely reduced to scarp (H 1.65m), except at angles and along W side. Steep drop to wide, flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 2.26m; D 0.77m) which channels the nearby stream and springs which appear to rise in the fosse in NE and NW quadrants. Counterscarp is also steep, though on the N side it has become a dumping area of large boulders and other refuse including sileage wrap and on the W side is augmented by upcast from the excavated sileage pit. Scarp at W end of N side is reduced in height, possibly cattle trampled before interior was planted. Along W side the fosse has been narrowed considerably by slippage from the augmented counterscarp. A stone wall cuts across the fosse at the N end of the W side and a less substantial rubble stone wall cuts across the fosse at the N end of the E side.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 26 August 2011