Page:VCH Sussex 1.djvu/539

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-•^'W,i;i- JITCHLING iSEACON. ANCIENT EARTHWORKS It is open to doubt, perhaps, whether this dew-pond is of any great antiquity, but the rainwater pond probably is of the same age as the camp, because the ramparts have been modified so as to supply it with rainwater. This pro- vision for the storage of water, taken in conjunction with the lowness of the ramparts, points possibly to this hav- ing been a refuge camp for the enclosure of cattle rather than a strictly military work. Strengthened by palisading the ramparts would probably be sufficient for such a pur- pose, whilst no amount of palisading would make them really formidable defences against a powerful foe. WoLST ANBURY. This camp is situated on an out- lying spur of the downs above Hurstpierpoint. It is essentially a hill-top camp, following the contour of the hill in such a way as to enclose the platform on the top of the hill and, at the same time, to utilize the steep slopes to their full extent as defensive features. The result is a more or less circular work about 250 yards in diameter. The natural steepness of the sides of this hill rendered it possible to employ a method of fortification which is sometimes, but not often, employed for hill-top defences. Instead of throwing the earth dug from the fosse up the hill towards the interior of the camp, it was thrown downwards, the rampart being built up below or outside the fosse. We thus find that the fosse has been constructed within the rampart, a reasonable and sensible method of construction by which a great economy of labour was effected. This method of construction has been followed throughout, excepting in those parts to the north and east where the steep end of a natural ravine runs close up to the work and artificial defence is unnecessary. There is an outwork running across the neck of land by which this spur is connected with the main chain of the downs. Neolithic implements are found here in some numbers. To the west of the camp, and just outside the ramparts, are several shallow pits which may possibly have been the sites of huts or dwellings. Devil's Dyke. — This is a large, important and remarkable earth- work occupying the level top of a spur or section of the South Downs between five and six miles to the north-west of Brighton Pavilion. It occupies a prominent position and commands extensive and beautiful views. Indeed, it is the best known view-point on the Sussex Downs. It commands not only a large part of the Weald, but also is visible 461