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KNAP HILL

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Earthwork enclosure of probable Iron Age and Romano-British date, immediately adjacent to the Neolithic causewayed enclosure on Knap Hill (SU 16 SW 22). Excavations occurred at the enclosure in 1908-9, finds including pottery, animal remains, a quern, remains of a human infant, a brooch of probable Iron Age date and numerous other artefact types. A "T-shaped hypocaust or fireplace" may well be a corn-drier. The presence of possible building stone plus the other artefacts has prompted the site's inclusion in Scott's gazetteer of Roman villas. A Saxon sword was also found, while pottery and clay pipes of 17th century date also point to some activity within the enclosure at this time. A square embanked area at the east side of the enclosure is probably a Post Medieval dew pond.

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(Area centred SU 12166374) Plateau Enclosure (NR) (1)

Shown as EIA Enclosure on diagram of Knap Hill Camp (See plan
with SU 16 SW 22). (2)

Excavation proved this to be a settlement quite distinct from,
and of considerably later date than Knap Hill Camp (See SU 16 SW
22), which it adjoins. Probably established EIA; Ro occupation and
17th Cent Habitation. Finds included bead rim type pottery,
Iron brooch, T-shaped fire place or hypocaust lower stone of a
quern, much damaged by fire, Iron nails and slag. Frags of
Upchurch? ware, Samian and Castor Ware. In the bank was found
part of infants skull and bones. Roman building remains consisted
of Wall daub and poss flooring. The finding of a 6th century
Saxon sword, plus the condition of the Roman and IA finds
suggested that the site had succombed to a Saxon attack. 17th
cent pottery, pipes dated approx 1651 a Token dated 1652 was
also found as well as a hut site. (3)

Similar information. Finds include also: Samian base with stamp
SE^ERI.M, New Forest ware, mortaria, 26 discs or counters made
from potsherds, parts of Ro bricks and tiles, and bronze
tweezers. Finds in Devizes Mus. (4)

SU 12176375: Situated on the crest of a SW facing escarpment,
this settlement of approximately 1/2 hectare occupies a saddle
position to the NE of Knap Hill Causewayed camp.
It is trapezium shaped, delineated mainly by a small bank up to
0.4m high, with an entrance in the NE, and several internal
platforms average 0.3m high. A double ditch feature extending to
the SW as far as SU 11956368 is possibly associated with one
of the phases of the settlement, but its slightness could also
represent a medieval or later boundary or field bank. Resurveyed in
conjunction with RCHM manuscript plan at 1:2500. (5)

The presence of possible building stone plus other artefacts has prompted the site's inclusion in Scott's gazetteer of Roman villas. (6)

The probable late prehistoric or Roman enclosures referred to by the
previous authorities have been mapped from aerial photographs. A
square embanked enclosure on the east side of the enclosure is
probably the remains of a Post Medieval dewpond. It is centred at
SU 1220 6373. It appears to have been constructed over the bank
defining the enclosure. (7-10)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1926

( 2) Antiquity Publications Limited Antiquity

4, 1930 Page(s)23

( 3) The Wiltshire archaeological and natural history magazine

Cunnington, ME. Knap Hill Camp 37, 1911-12 Page(s)42-65

( 4a) by Sir Richard Colt Hoare; introduction by Jack Simmons and D D A Simpson 1975 The ancient history of Wiltshire

2 Page(s)11

( 4b) The Wiltshire archaeological and natural history magazine

Cunnington, ME. Knap Hill Camp 37, 1911-12 Page(s)42-65

( 4c) General reference

Catalogue of Antiquities in the Museum...at Devizes, II, 1934

( 4) General reference

Hawkes, Piggott & Grinsell - VCH Card Index 1953 Ref

( 5) Field Investigators Comments

F1 MHB 17-JUL-74

(6) by Eleanor Scott 1993 A gazetteer of Roman villas in Britain

Leicester archaeology monographsNo.1 (1993) - Site number WZ 11 no.1 Page(s)196

(7) Oblique aerial photograph reference number

NMR SU1263/47 (15290/06) 19-MAR-1995

(8) Oblique aerial photograph reference number

NMR SU1263/49 (15269/08) 19-MAR-1995

(9) Oblique aerial photograph reference number

NMR SU1263/51 (15269/36) 19-MAR-1995

(10) Oblique aerial photograph reference number

CUCAP (NX41) 27-APR-1954

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KNAP HILL CAUSEWAYED ENCLOSURE
ALTON

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The site of Knap Hill, a Neolithic causewayed enclosure. It encompasses an area of circa 2.4 hectares and consists of a single circuit of sub-triangul...

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