The Archaeology of Castle Hill, Wittenham Clumps

HOMEPAGE

The Archaeology of Castle Hill

Trench 1

Trench 2

Trench 3

Trench 4

Week 3

Trench 3

Index

Week 2 update

Week 4 update

Week 5 update

Week 6 update

Interim Summary Reports

Photographs of people at work

NEW!

Latest from Castle Hill

In Trench 3 a number of Early and Middle Iron Age pits have been excavated. These pits were probably used for grain storage, but at a later date were filled with rubbish. They have produced considerable quantities of pottery, animal bone and charred barley seeds. Some of the pottery from the pits include parts of whole pots, and these will be cleaned and reconstructed by our archaeologists.

Carenza from Time team excavating the baby burial

A large ditch in the middle of the trench is part of the small enclosure visible on the geophysics. This ditch has produced pottery of Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age date. It is, therefore, likely that this ditch forms part of an enclosure pre-dating the hillfort that can be seen today.

Part of a reconstructable Iron Age pot found in a large pit from the Early Iron Age settlement

The baby burial from Trench 3

Halfway down Trench 3 we have found a quarry that may have been used for chalk to build up the rampart we are excavating in Trench 2. The quarry is undated, but we have not yet reached the bottom of this feature. However, the upper fills include a large quantity of pottery and bone of Iron Age and Roman date. At its north side the quarry cuts into three Iron Age pits, including one containing the burial of a baby. We have also found pieces of a second human skeleton in the quarry, probably from a grave disturbed when the quarry was dug.

Trench 3 has also produced a few flint blades, which may date from the Mesolithic or Neolithic. This demonstrates a human presence on Castle Hill from at least 4000 BC.

If you would like to help on the dig please speak to one of the team, or contact Denise Price, at Oxford Archaeology on 01865 263800. Application forms may also be obtained by e-mail from denise.price@oxfordarch.co.uk.