More information : (SU 176640) Camp (NR). (1)
A univallate hill fort of 32 acres on Martinsell Hill. Probable
entrance in NE corner from where a ditch runs in a NE direction
(see Meyrick's plan (SU 16 SE 4). Parts of red deer antler from
rampart (in Marlborough College Museum) and IA 'C' sherds, phase
3c, found by Meyrick in quantity to the west (SU 175638) and
north-east of the site (SU 181643). He also found three RB sherds
just to the west (c SU 17656400). Locally known simply as
Martinsell (a); occurs as Maetelmesburg in the 8th century. (2-4)
Martinsell (name verified); a fort comprising a single rampart
and ditch 2.8m-3.2m high with outer ditch 1.0m deep. Numerous
modern breaks occur in the work but those at SU 17776420,
SU 17756377, and SU 17543383 are probably original entrances.
In the NE, the entrance has been eroded by a later holloway which
runs for about 70.0m to the NE. Here the ditch has an outer bank
1.0m high running for some 60.0m on either side of the entrance.
On the east side the ditch fades into a terrace on which a modern
boundary bank has been constructed, and re-forms at the SW angle. The
entrance here has been distorted by a later trackway. The NW
angle has been mutilated by a quarry and on the N side the outer
ditch has been destroyed. The interior is under crops. See
SU 16 SE 14/24 for associated occupation finds. Published
survey 25" revised. (5)
SU 177 639. Martinsell Hill. Listed in gazetteer as a univallate hillfort covering 13.0ha. (6)
Further finds of IA and Roman pottery have been found at SU176640. The IA sherds include fragments of haematite coated bowls and furrowed bowls. The Roman sherds include C1-2 Samian and Savernake wares and some C3-4 fragments of ampulla, and a bone fragment. Devizes Museum Acc No. 76.1973. (7)
A clear and concise description of the hillfort. (8) |