More information : (SU 212 514) Ditch (NR). (1)
A complex of ditches (see diagram), centred on the Iron Age
hill-fort known as Sidbury Camp (SU 25 SW 37). Applebaum
suggests that at least some of these ditches were contemporary
in use, if not in origin with the hillfort, and were probably
constructed not later than the Early Iron Age.
The ditch running east to west immediately north of the Snail
Down group of barrows (SU 25 SW 10) was excavated by Thomas in
1953 and 1957, no dating evidence being discovered. (2-3)
An extensive series of ditches, some with a single adjacent
bank, others with a bank to each side.
These appear to branch from the main feature (from SU 21505079
to SU 21075197) running northwards from Sidbury Hill. Though
broken through and mutilated much if not all was originally a
double ditch with medial and outer banks. Plantations and
modern tracks have effaced all traces of junctions with Sidbury
Hill. The boundary works appear to have been laid out to a
specific plan encompassing or adjoining areas of field system
except in the vicinity of the Snail Down barrows where the area
seems undisturbed.
Published 1:2500 surveys revised. (4)
This boundary complex is the northern section of a larger network of near contemporary territories covering a strip 3-4km wide along the western margin of the Bourne Valley. The northern complex is centred on Sidbury Hillfort (SU 25 SW 37) and comprises of a double linear ditch (SU 25 SW 166) which is the earliest of this complex, extending NNW from Sidbury Hillfort, with its subsidiary ditches (SU 25 SW 167-170) forming two adjacent enclosures. Two other ditches were identified on the west and east sides of Sidbury Hillfort. (SU 25 SW 171 and SU 25 SW 172).
These ditches and associated territories are not as well-preserved as those identified to the south, but they are thought to be of a similar date range and function. These were investigated as part of the Wessex Linear Ditch Project. None appear to be earlier in date than the Middle to Late Bronze Age, and it is thought that these originated as an intergral component of Late Bronze Age settlement.
Very little evidence for settlement was found within the limits of the northern sector and is contrasted with the southern sector. This is especially apparent within the area west of Sidbury hill implying this area was outside the main Late Bronze Age occupation area.
Modifications and additions to this boundary complex continued into the Iron Age. The Iron Age ditches can be identified by an unusually symmetrical profile (SU 25 SW 167 and SU 25 SW 169). Modifications to original Late Bronze Age ditches were characterised by a recut V-shaped profile (SU 25 SW 172). Iron Age refurbishment can also be identified at (SU 25 SW 44 and SU 25 SW 166) where deposits of animal and human remains were recorded.
The Iron Age phase used a different boundary layout created by the selective reuse of the existing Late Bronze Age ditches and addition of new ditches. These defined smaller areas which no longer contained settlements but pasture. This probably was accompanied the development of the hillfort. The precise relationship of the ditches to the hillfort could not be established as its construction destroyed any evidence. However, the Iron Age ditches appear to predate the construction of the rampart.
By the Late Iron Age - Roman period changes in the structure of settlement and land use resulted in the destruction of a large part of the linear ditches complex. (5)
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