Herefordshire Through Time
Little Doward Camp now consists of oval enclosure with rectangular annexe towards SE. Oval portion is surrounded by a double embankment with a medial ditch, except on S side where steep slope made only a single bank necessary. The double embankment turns outward at NW angle indicating former existence of outer enclosure on this side. Earthworks were considerably damaged in C19 when owner formed paths through ramparts & is said to have replaced an outer rampart on NW by straight bank leading to an iron view-tower. The rectangular annexe is only defended by natural outcrop of rock on 3 sides; it is divided from main camp by track which is partly sunk. Within the oval are a well & a series of mounds (SO 51 NW14). (1)
Iron Age bivallate hillfort, with enclosure, situated upon an almost level- topped wooded limestone hill, with steep slopes to NE & NW & very steep rocky slopes to SW. Enclosure to SE of main work is bounded by limestone cliffs above very steep natural slopes. Hillfort defences comprise, on NW & NE a strong inner rampart, 12.0 to 16.0m in width, 1.5 to 2.5m in height; a medial ditch, 6.0 to 8.0m in width, 1.0-2.0m deep & outer rampart, 6.0-8.0m in width, 1.0 to 2.0m in height. To the SW, a single rampart suffices and is 7.0m wide and 1.5m high. To the SE, along the junction with the enclosure, is a 1.0m high outward-facing slope, probably the ploughed-down remains of a rampart. The probably original entrance was through the NE side with access up a natural; shelving hill slope. Another narrow rock-cut entrance through the ramparts on the SW side is undoubtedly original. The well at the S end of the hillfort could not be located, and has probably been filled in. (3)
In 1884 the camp was overgrown with bracken rather than trees. Access was good. (6)
The summit of the rampart was removed in order to make a walk upon it by Richard Blakemore. (7)
It is unlikely to be a coincidence that hill fort encompasses round barrows. The monumental boundaries of the hillfort is likely to have been both a physical and symbolic way of separating special activities. (8)
Oblique aerial photographs 5th July 2007 (9-20).
A watching brief was carried out during the installation of a water pipe in the northwest corner of the camp. A concentration of broken limestone was encountered on the inner edge of the rampart where the pipe ran through a break in the rampart. The main finds of bone fragments, charcoal and a few sherds of native pottery came from this area of the trench. Nearby, on the eastern side of the camp, the soil associated with the roots of a fallen tree was examined. A quantity of native pottery (including Malvernian ware) and bone fragments was retrieved. This area was subsequently excavated by Herefordshire archaeology. (21)
Small-scale excavations were carried out in 2009 following the discovery of significant finds in the hole left by a fallen tree. This excavation confirmed the presence of settlement activity on the upper of two adjacent presumed house platforms that had possibly been re-used for charcoal burning. On the upper, northern platform, two post-holes were located at the margins of a surface, the presence of which was indicated also by a definite wear pattern on the limestone bedrock. The space likely to have been occupied by the interior of the sub-circular structure was traceable by mapping the extent of this wear pattern. Within the more limited area of the southerly platform investigated, a midden deposit was encountered. This produced a proportionately large assemblage of Iron Age pottery and bone. Many of the latter bear cut marks which will provide information about butchery practices. Several artefacts found in the same deposit are of particular note. One was a toggle made from part of a deer antler tine, while there were also gaming pieces made of bone. (22)
Scheduled Monument Consent granted for localised removal of dangerous trees, vegatation and small fragments of limestone from the cliff face above the historic pathway, 25/11/2010. (23)
Scheduled Monument Consent granted for taking down and rebuilding of rear retaining wall of the Hermit's Hut, with recording, 25/11/2010. (24)
Scheduled Monument Consent granted for archaeological investigations to investigate the former boundary bank and ditch between main enclosure and annex area of the hillfort at SO 5401 1589, 28/04/2011. (25)
