Enclosure in Macetown

Situated on the NNE side of a ridge, in pasture and overlooking bog to N. Depicted as a large partially levelled enclosure, extending across three fields, on the revised 1913 ed. OS 25-inch map. Monument described in 1972 as a very extensive earthwork complex. The main element is a substantial horseshoe-shaped rampart defined by an external fosse. The rampart consists of an earthen bank visible from NE-E-S-W-NW which is reduced to a scarp in places and which has external stone facing. The external fosse is visible from E-S-W-NW. There is a short portion of a substantial inner bank at W with a trace of an intervening fosse, outside of which is the main rampart and external fosse (see measured profile K-L, SMR file). There is no visible trace of the rampart or fosse from NW-N-E. The fosse was dug into the W side of a small steep, natural rise on the E side of the rampart, where it extends beyond the lower edge of the water scarp. A much disturbed gap at ESE may represent a formal entrance. There is a causeway across the fosse at SSW which appears modern. There is another modern gap and causeway at S. A low lying marshy hollow extends from the edge of the raised bog into the rampart interior at NE and may represent a turlough. This hollow occupies the NE and E quadrant of the interior. It is defined by the earthen bank of the rampart from NE-E-SE and by a water scarp on the interior from S-W-NW. The interior is very uneven, having natural scarps and outcrop. A natural slope near the centre appears to have been steepened artificially. Two relatively modern earthen field fences running NNE-SSW cross the monument. There are a series of earthworks (WM019-043----) in the vicinity and a house site (WM019-043002-) to S. Monument is visible on Digital Globe aerial photography as a C-shaped tree-lined earthwork. See attached plan and profile of monument surveyed and drawn by the ASI.