Archaeology

A Brief Summary

The archaeology of the hillfort has been investigated twice; in the late 1940's and again in 1955, when excavations at the hillfort were undertaken by Arthur ApSimon and the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society. In 1949, Tratman and Crook undertook fieldwork at the hillfort comprising two sections through the eastern ramparts, publishing findings in the Proceedings of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society in 1949 and 1954. They suggested that the original entrance was the narrow angled trackway through the southern rampart, but we now know from the recent geophysical survey that this is unlikely.

In 1955 Arthur ApSimon excavated 29 small test pits within the interior of the hillfort. ApSimon later reported that some of the test pits revealed a layer of occupation material nearly 2ft thick, as well as pits, post and stake holes, gullies and ditches.

This evidence suggested occupation, perhaps houses, located close to the southern and western ramparts. Iron slag and portions of clay bowl-furnaces were reportedly found in the extreme SW corner of the hillfort, whilst other finds included a considerable amount of Early Iron Age pottery, animal bones and a saddle quern.

Our recent geophysical survey supports this and shows that there are several houses in a restricted area of the hillfort.

Plan of test pits excavated in 1955 (ApSimson 1957)

Photograph of 1955 test pit under excavation

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Mendip Hills AONB Management Plan 2014-19

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