ANCIENT 

 EARTHWORKS 



UNDER this heading are included all earthworks having, or 

 appearing to have a defensive character, such as camps and 

 moats ; ditches and dykes constructed as defences or boundaries ; 

 barrows or tumuli, whether raised for sepulchral or other pur- 

 poses ; and lastly, any other forms of earthworks, whether formed by 

 excavation or by throwing up the soil, which seem to be of sufficient 

 interest to be worth recording. 



In no case has any attempt been made to classify these earthworks 

 according to periods or to the race by whom they were constructed. 

 In the great majority of instances this would have been absolutely im- 

 possible, and in the remainder such conjectures would be at the best 

 uncertain, but any evidence which may lead to the determination of 

 these points has been given. It is true that the defences of castles and 

 the moats of manor houses are adjuncts of buildings erected at a date 

 which can often be ascertained with accuracy, but it cannot be taken 

 for granted that the ramparts or moats in question were constructed at 

 the same time as the buildings they defended, for in many cases advan- 

 tage may have been taken of pre-existing earthworks. 



With regard to defensive earthworks, by far the most important 

 section here dealt with, the classification adopted is that recommended 

 by the committee appointed for the purpose by the Congress of Archaeo- 

 logical Societies in igoi. 1 This is as follows: Class A, comprising 

 fortresses partly naturally inaccessible but additionally defended. This 

 class is not represented in the county. Class B, hill fortifications, are 

 to be found in considerable numbers, many in an excellent state of preser- 

 vation. Class C, rectangular camps, is fairly well represented, though 

 only one fine example, Lowbury, is to be seen. Classes D and E, forti- 

 fied mounts without or with a bailey, are scarce, and the few cases that 

 occur are not typical in form. Homestead moats (Class F) are abundant, 

 especially in the valleys. In the last section are placed a few earthworks 

 which do not fall under any of the above headings. 



The defensive earthworks have been enumerated under the above 

 headings in the alphabetical order of the parishes in which they occur. 



1 See Scheme for recording ancient defensive earthworks and fortified enclosures (1903). 



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