More information : [SU 87664636] Earthwork [G.T.] (1)
The Botany Hill Camp is on sloping ground on the S.W. side of the
hill (to the W. of Soldiers Ring Lat. 51o 12'30", Long.0o 44' 49" (3), [SU 87514625]. Considerable numbers of calcined flint pot-boilers have been found in rabbit scrapes inside the enclosure.
Scheduled as 'Earthwork'. (2-4)
The feature published on the OS 6" 1961 at SU 87664636 is a natural steep sided hill. At SU 87514625, which is the siting given by
Auth.3., are the remains of the earthwork in the garden of 'Hillbrow'.
The earthwork stands on a N.W. promontory of Crooksbury Common above
the 400 ft. contour line. It is dominated to the S.E. by Crooksbury
hill, a prominent greensand knoll The work comprises an oval enclosure some 40.0m. in diameter which has been levelled on the S.E. side.
It is almost identical to Soldier's Ring (SU 84 NE 18) and is defended around the N. and W. sides by steep natural slopes which have been scarped for additional defence. Around the S. side a strong rampart and ditch has been constructed measuring some 15.0m. across and up to 2.0m. in height.
There is no apparent entrance but it may have been in the now levelled side.
The exact date or purpose of the work remains obscure, but it is
clearly a defensive enclosure and may be a small hill fort; but it
must be considered in relationship with Soldier's Ring some 500.0m.
to the East.
Surveyed at 1/2500. (5)
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