Summer excavation of Castle Hill in Oxfordshire
Submitted by Vicky on Thursday, 23 October 2003 Page Views: 2560
DigsExcavation 12th July to 29th August 2003The Iron Age hillfort of Castle Hill overlooks the river Thames at Little Wittenham in Oxfordshire, just across the river from Dorchester-on-Thames. It is owned and managed by the Northmoor Trust, who are planning to build a Landscape Evolution Centre to explain the past and present local landscape and explore possible future landscapes. The site has never been excavated, though fieldwalking has revealed Iron Age, Roman and Saxon activity in the interior, and Late Roman burials have been found around the outside.
Geophysical survey by English Heritage in 2002 revealed an inner buried ditch circuit, probably from an earlier Bronze Age enclosure, and other enigmatic features.
As the first part of the investigations, this summer Oxford Archaeology will excavate seven trenches across the ditch, rampart and the interior of the hillfort with the assistance of students and other volunteers. No previous experience is necessary to take part. Though not formally a training excavation, a wide variety of experience of archaeological fieldwork, finds and environmental work is available working with one of the foremost professional organisations in the country. Tim Allen will direct.
Work will be 6 days a week with Saturdays off; the standard working day will be from 8 am to 4.30 pm. The site is some 8 miles from Oxford. Volunteers may be collected by prior arrangement, or the site can be reached by car from Oxford via the A 423, from Abingdon via the A415 or from Wallingford via the A4130. For those not living locally use of a campsite with showers and food is provided at the Northmoor Trust, Little Wittenham close to the site. A charge of £80 per week will be made to cover the cost of food and accommodation. Campers must attend for a minimum of 1 week; after 3 weeks those wishing to stay for longer may apply for free food and a discretionary weekly subsistence allowance. Locals may come for single days as long as they give advance notice. Tea and coffee will be provided; please bring your own lunch.
Application forms may be obtained from Denise Price, OA, Janus House, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES, England. The OA telephone number is O1865 263800 and Fax number 01865 793496. Application forms may also be obtained by e-mail on [email protected] or from the OA website
Note: Update: Dig reveals area may have been a centre for human sacrifice in the Iron Age - see comment below
We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.