Battlesbury Camp Monuments: hillfort, settlement, cemetery, barrows, enclosure, and field systems

Reasons for Designation

The most complete and extensive survival of chalk downland archaeological remains in central southern England occurs on Salisbury Plain, particularly in those areas lying within the Salisbury Plain Training Area. These remains represent one of the few extant archaeological `landscapes' in Britain and are considered to be of special significance because they differ in character from those in other areas with comparable levels of preservation. Individual sites on Salisbury Plain are seen as being additionally important because the evidence of their direct association with each other survives so well. Seven hillforts are recorded in the Salisbury Plain Training Area. Hillforts represent a major settlement form for the Iron Age and, unless severely damaged, are considered worthy of protection. Importantly, all of these are associated with contemporary archaeological features such as field systems and land boundaries.

Details

The scheduled area includes an Iron Age hillfort, an unenclosed Iron Age settlement, a cemetery, three bowl barrows, a field system and enclosure within the hillfort, and two strip lynchet systems outside the hill fort. 1 - An Iron Age hillfort with a double row of earthen defences enclosing an area of c.10 hectares. There are entrances in the east and north-west. 2 - An area of Iron Age settlement to the north of Battlesbury Camp hillfort. Partial excavation in the 1950's revealed traces of postholes and pits which contained animal bones and pottery. 3 - An inhumation cemetery near the north-west entrance of Battlesbury Camp hillfort. Several human skeletons, skulls and part of a horse skeleton have been found at various times. The cemetery is considered to be of Iron Age date. 4 - A strip lynchet field system lying on the slopes to the south-east of Battlesbury Camp hillfort. The lynchets are up to 2m high. 5 - A strip lynchet field system lying on the slopes to the north-east of Battlesbury Camp hillfort. The lynchets are over 2m high in places. 6 - A small Bronze Age bowl barrow partly overlain by the outer defences of Battlesbury Camp hillfort. Partial excavations in the 19th century produced a primary cremation and two secondary skeletons. (ST89784543) 7 - A Bronze Age bowl barrow lying between the inner and outer defences of Battlesbury Camp hillfort. Partial excavations in the 19th century produced no finds. It has been suggested this feature may be a windmill stance or a small motte. (ST89804545) 8 - A small Bronze Age bowl barrow partly overlain by the outer defences of Battlesbury Camp hillfort. Partial excavations in the 19th century produced a cremation. (ST89794544) 9 - A small circular enclosure within Battlesbury Camp hillfort. (ST89934562) 10 - Traces of field system inside Battlesbury Camp hillfort.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

10081

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Wiltshire Library & Museum Service, (1987)
Trust for Wessex Archaeology, (1987)

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