Rickeston Rath

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises a small defended enclosure or rath, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (800 BC - 43 AD). Usually enclosed by a bank and ditch, raths often contain evidence of intensive occupation. Rickeston Rath is situated on a gentle northwest facing slope not far from where the land falls away westwards to a stream valley feeding the Sandyhaven Pill. It comprises a sub-circular defended enclosure measuring internally c. 115m east to west by 100m north to south. The earthworks are ploughed down surviving only as scarps to the west, north and east, with the remains of a bank on the south side spread to about c. 0.2m high though a short section 35m long on the south east underneath a hedge may be better preserved.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of Iron Age settlement and social organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric landscape. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.