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). 251
