Excavations at Hembury (Devon), 1980–83: A Summary Report

Abstract

SummaryExcavations at Hembury (Devon) in 1980–83 have revealed a new Neolithic earthwork to the north of the causewayed enclosure excavated by Miss D. M. Liddell in 1930–35. The eastern defences of the Iron Age hillfort have been examined for the first time and a sequence of box rampart followed by dump rampart demonstrated. The latter phase of construction is datable to the second or first century b.c. On the Roman conquest of the region the northern end of the hillfort was occupied by Roman troops who constructed a series of regular planned timber buildings, including a structure identified as a fabrica. This occupation probably ended in the 60s a.d. and thereafter the hillfort remained in disuse.

Landscape in the Longue Durée

“…Liddell's excavations revealed eight ditch and low bank sections with intervening causeways cutting across the spur, and house structures and substantial occupation debris inside indicating permanent settlement (Liddell 1929(Liddell -1932a(Liddell , 1929(Liddell -32b, 1929(Liddell -32c, 1936. A second ditch line was found to the north, as well as additional ditches, by Todd's re-examination of the northern part of the spur, indicating the presence of multiple enclosures (Todd 1984).…”

“…At Hembury approach to the western entrance involved passing diagonally through the outer ramparts along a sunken track. A low bank on either side shut off the ditch ends, which were surmounted by a palisade fence (Todd 1984). These elaborated entrances were designed to constrict passage and block any view into the interiors of the enclosures.…”

“…The width of these ramparts was 6 m and they were composed of sand, earth and stone derived from an external ditch. Todd (1984) estimates the date of construction to have been between 600 and 450 BC. The original structure was completely replaced by multiple ramparts of more complex construction in size and number sometime after 300 BC.…”

“…The original structure was completely replaced by multiple ramparts of more complex construction in size and number sometime after 300 BC. Here an original box rampart with timber revetments was replaced with glacis or dump ramparts 9 m wide and 5 m high revetted with a low stone wall at the front (Todd 1984). Since the rampart was on the very edge of the scarp slope its vertical height above the ditch bottom was a massive 18 m.…”

“…Hembury and Raddon are the only known hillforts in East Devon where a timber-framed box rampart is known (Todd 1984;Gent and Quinnell 1999), as opposed to dump or glacis-style ramparts that are everywhere generally later in date (Cunliffe 1991). Excavations at Blackbury Castle showed the rampart to have been of dump construction and built of clay and flint nodules over a small turf marking-out bank probably dating to the fifth or fourth century BC (Young and Richardson 1955: 48).…”