ANCIENT EARTHWORKS 



The hill-top camps or earthworks of Sussex, which form a well- 

 marked and interesting feature in the prehistoric archaeology of the 

 county, have been investigated by General Pitt-Rivers, and a memoir 

 on the subject was read before the Society of Antiquaries of London* 

 in 1868. 



The following camps are essentially hill-top earthworks of the South 

 Downs, commencing in the eastern part of Sussex. 



Beltout. — This is an extensive work enclosing the highest part of 

 a prominent hill close to the sea-shore and a little to the west of the 

 new lighthouse at Beachy Head. In its present condition a space of 

 about two-fifths of its circumference consists, not of rampart and ditch, 

 but of dangerously steep sea-cliff, and the destruction of cliff and 

 alteration of sea-coast at this point are proceeding at a rapid rate. The 

 cliff, indeed, is practically perpendicular, and frequent falls of chalk 

 testify to the rapidity with which the coast is being cut into by the 

 action of the sea. 



The question whether this earthwork was ever continuous round 

 the top of the hill, enclosing the whole of the upper part of it, in the 

 same way as Ditchling and Hollingbury, for example, is very difficult 

 to settle. Judging from its present form, and the remains of the 

 hill which the waves have spared, it seems not improbable that the 

 ramparts may have extended originally entirely round the hill; but 

 rapid as the waste of the chalk cliffs at this point is, the camp when 

 first constructed can hardly have been far from the sea-shore, and it is 

 by no means improbable that the steep, sheer cliffs may have furnished 

 sufficient protection on one side, without requiring any special earthen 

 defence of an artificial character. The great extent of the present works 

 and the large area they enclose also point to such a possibility ; yet the 

 irregular and somewhat elongated shape offer almost equally clear 

 evidence that a considerable part of the camp has been destroyed by the 

 sea. 



Allowing for only a moderate amount of waste, it is clear that 

 Beltout must have been a very large and important work. It lies on a 

 hill somewhat less than 300 ft. above the sea, and effectively overlooks 

 the surrounding country. Its site, indeed, suggests that it was a valuable 

 strategic point in the Beachy Head district. There is one weak point, 

 however, which would be very serious from military point of view : 

 there is no natural water supply. The obvious inference is that abundant 

 as are neolithic implements in the neighbourhood, Beltout was only used 

 as a temporary camp of refuge for families and cattle during periods of 

 danger from marauding tribes. It is impossible to avoid being struck 

 by the fact that this eminence would be well adapted for such a purpose. 



The ramparts are slight, and were probably supplemented by 

 palisading. As will be seen by the plan, there is a ditch, or fosse, on 

 the outside, from which has been obtained the material for the con- 

 struction of the rampart. Flint flakes, etc., are very abundant. 



' Arch. xlii. 



