Lamborough Camp

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument comprises the remains of a defended enclosure, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). Inland promontory forts are usually located on a ridge or spur with steep slopes on 2 or 3 sides, and artificial ramparts on the level approaches. The fort's northern side is protected by a steep natural slope that drops into a stream valley the top of which may have been scarped to provide a better defence. The west and south sides are defended by a massive bank and ditch that encloses an oval area measuring c.90m east to west by c 60m north to south. The bank stands up to 1.6m height above the interior and 4m above the ditch. The ditch measures up to 1.2m deep on the west but survives only as trace on the south, it is flanked by a counterscarp bank c.0.5m high on the west side. These defences fade completely to the south east before reaching the top of the valley and this may be the location of the original entrance.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric context and within the surrounding landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating 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.