More information : (SP 541587) Arbury Hill. Camp (LB). (1)
The site of the camp occupies the whole summit of Arbury Hill, forming a rectangular area of c 10 acres. The rampart is very high, and encompassed, except at the entrance on the E side, by a wide single trench, which has been 20' deep, though farming has reduced the bank.
The bankc on the E and S sides of the hill are caused by clay creeping down over harder ferruginous Northampton Sand. The ditches on the N and W sides are agricultural drainage ditches. The uneveness of the slope at the NW corner is due to lumps of clay breaking away against the natural slope of the rocks.
This hill has some signs of scarping on the south and west accompanied by hedges acting as land divisions, none of which can be accepted as defensive works or of ancient origin.
A univallate hill fort which may belong to the later phase of the Iron Age A period.
[Not accepted for inclusion on the OS map of Southern British in the Iron Age.]
The earthworks surrounding this hill top have been formed by early agriculture. Earthworks of similar formation can be seen on Gredenton Hill (SP 4051). (2-6)
SP 541 587 Geomorphological origin of features (erosion,cambering and valley bulging,complicated by landslips) accepted by RCHM. Site lies at the geological boundary between Northampton Sand and underlying Upper Lias Clay. No finds attributed to the site except for a fragment of flaked polished Neolthic flint axe said to have been found here before 1893. RCHM plan published. (7)
SP 540 587. Arbury, Northants. Listed in gazetteer as a doubtful hillfort. Area 3.2ha. (8) |