More information : [ST 71885172] KINGSDOWN CAMP [G.T.]. (1)
Kingsdown Camp was excavated 1927-9, by H.St. George Gray. The
defences consisted of a Pre-Flavian dry stone wall and 'v'-shaped
outer ditch, with a Pre-Belgic-Belgic inner ditch. Roman occupation
ceased about Mid - 2nd c.
Two paved entrances were found, the original to SSE, and The Roman,
to NE, where two post-holes of a gate were revealed. [See plan
AO/LP/63/100]
The inner ditch produced a quantitiy of Hod Hill type brooches (c.
AD 40-50), hearths and finds of Lake Village type, including two
currency bars and bone needles. Also found were an iron dagger (La
Tene II), o a Dobunnic silver coin (Eisu), (3), an As. of Domitian,
two Dupondii of Hadrian, Pre-conquest and RB.pottery. A feature of
the inner ditch was a number of burials relating to the Roman
occupation.
The outer ditch on pottery evidence, very probably dates to the
Claudius - Nero period. various banks and mounds in the area of the
camp were examined, but their purpose was not determined.
They are composed, very largely, of local stone. RB. sherds and
flint flakes were found, also a probably re-interred skeleton, and
a considerable amount of iron slag. (2-3)
The occupation site excavated in 1927-9, covers an area of
approximately half an acre. The enclosing wall is concealed in
a low bank. The surrounding ditch survives only on the north and
west but its position is indicated by a darker growth of grass for
its full extent.
Banks ouside the enclosure suggest associated fields, and very
parched grass on top of the bank, and a few exposed stones, indicate
walling beneath the surface.
Resurveyed at 1:2500.
All the finds from the 1927-29 excavations are in Taunton Museum
(Acc.No.A 422). See AO/64/273/4.
Stereo-photographs AO/64/265/2 and 3 and AO/64/265/4 and 5. (4)
Kingsdown Camp is a small Iron Age earthwork enclosure, refortified,
curiously, in the late 1st/2nd century AD. (5-6)
Additional references (7)(8)
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