Description of Causewayed Camps, or Enclosures Neolithic Causewayed Camps were generally built on hilltops and consisted of a central ritual area which was surrounded by several concentric, or spiral, rings of banks and ditches. The means of crossing the ditches, or defences, were by several causeways ( raised roadways ) hence the name of 'Causewayed Camps'! It is believed that the ditches were excavated in sections, leaving the wide causeways intact in between the ditches. The Neolithic Causewayed Camps were quite large, covering an area of around 3 acres. What was a Causewayed Ditch Ring? The camps are sometimes incorrectly referred to as a Causewayed Ditch Ring. Causewayed ring ditches were smaller and relate only to activities surrounding funeral customs. The ring ditches were later used as defence mechanisms with Hillforts which developed during the Bronze Age ( 1800 - 600 BC ) Evidence of English Causewayed Camps Archaeological evidence and examples of famous English Neolithic Causewayed Camps include those at Hambledon Hill, Windmill Hill, Crickley Hill and Coombe Hill. The sites are some of the oldest remains in the English landscape. Why were Causewayed Camps so important to English castle history? Causewayed Camps are extremely important to English castle history and evolution. They mark the transition from a Nomadic society where the people were Hunter-gathers, who constantly moved from one area to another, to a community of people who became settled in just one area. The facts and information provided on this page are highly relevant to anyone with an interest in English castles! |