PARK HILL

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DESCRIPTION

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Earthwork remains of an Iron Age hillfort of two phases; first a univallate enclosure, second an inner work, possibly unfinshed.

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(ST 763347) Camp (NR) (1)

An IA ? bivallate hill-fort, at Park Hill, Stourton, is of approximately 6 acres in extent. There are entrances on the east and west and it is naturally defended by steep slopes. (2-3)

An IA fort of two-period construction, situated at a height of about
213m OD, on a narrow Greensand ridge with steep slopes on the north
east and south west.

The first occupation phase is represented by the outer work which
comprises a substantial rampart, outer ditch and counterscarp bank
(see sections) enclosing an area of 2.3 hectares. There are two
entrances : one on the north west side (damaged by a later track),
the other at the south east corner (bisected by an old boundary
bank).

The inner work is D-shaped in plan with sharp north west and south
west angles. It measures internally 130m north west-south east by
98m transversely, enclosing an area of 1 hectare. The rampart measures 8m in width and a maximum of 1m in height; the external, rather flat-bottomed ditch is 6m wide and varies between 0.3m and 1.2m deep.

The uneven appearance of the bank and ditch, particularly on the
south west side, leaves little doubt that the second phase is
unfinished. There is an 'off-set' entrance in the south east side.
The interior is featureless. The site is covered by trees, but is
otherwise in good condition.

The topographical situation, on a heavily wooded narrow Greensand
ridge, together with the general plan and 'off-set' entrance, are
reminiscent of the Wealden fort at Hammer Wood, Iping, Sussex (see
SU 82 SW 1).

Divorced survey of 1970 revised. (4)

Further reference. (5)

Surveyed by the RCHME. (6)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1962

( 2) edited by R B Pugh and Elizabeth Crittall 1957 A history of Wiltshire: volume 1, part 1

The Victoria history of the counties of England Page(s)269

( 3) General reference

Ancient History South Wiltshire 1812 38 plan f p 42 (R C Hoare)

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

F1 CC 18-AUG-78

( 5) General reference

Hillforts of the Iron Age 1976 328 (Forde-Johnson)

( 6) General reference

RCHME: South Wilts Project

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