Norton Camp: Difference between revisions
Created page with "right|thumb|300px|Defensive ditch of Norton Camp {{county|Somerset}} '''Norton Camp''' is a Bronze Age hill fort at Nort..." |
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There is no suggestion of fortification after the Roman period, but in a nice reflection of the past, Norton camp is next to Norton Manor Camp, home of 40 Commando, Royal Marines. | There is no suggestion of fortification after the Roman period, but in a nice reflection of the past, Norton camp is next to Norton Manor Camp, home of 40 Commando, Royal Marines. | ||
The camp is designated an Ancient Monument and included on the Heritage at Risk register due to its vulnerability to arable ploughing.<ref>{{Heritage at Risk| | The camp is designated an Ancient Monument and included on the Heritage at Risk register due to its vulnerability to arable ploughing.<ref>{{Heritage at Risk|/1677471|Norton Camp}}</ref> | ||
==Outside links== | ==Outside links== | ||
Latest revision as of 12:45, 26 September 2017
Norton Camp is a Bronze Age hill fort at Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton in Somerset.
The fort is on the top of a low hill, today surrounded by woodland.
Description
The earthwork consists of a single circular rampart up to ten feet high, with three holloway entrances dominated by linear banks extending out from the main perimeter. The ring has a diameter of about 270 yards, enclosing an area of 12 acres. The fort is at the top of low hill (164 feet) about half a mile north of the River Tone.
History
The site was excavated by Mr. H. St. George Gray in July 1908. The original ditch was shown to be nine feet deep. Pottery shards dated from the Bronze Age and the Roman period, but no evidence of occupation from other periods.
Further excavations in 1968-1971 by Nancy and Philip Langmaid found flints from the mesolithic and neolithic, as well as extensive hoards of bronze metalwork, 9 bracelets, an axe-head and sword moulds from the Bronze Age (700 BC).[1] They also found evidence of refortifiction in the Iron Age, from the period before Roman occupation (around 43 AD).
In 1981, a neolithic axe-head made from greensand chert was found. There is further evidence from aerial photographs of cropmarks and post holes, possibly from roundhouses.
About the hill
There is no suggestion of fortification after the Roman period, but in a nice reflection of the past, Norton camp is next to Norton Manor Camp, home of 40 Commando, Royal Marines.
The camp is designated an Ancient Monument and included on the Heritage at Risk register due to its vulnerability to arable ploughing.[2]
Outside links
References
- ↑ "Norton Camp Hillfort.". Digital Digging. http://digitaldigging.co.uk/maps/hillforts/somerset/hill-forts-somerset-norton-camp-hillfort.html. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
- ↑ Norton Camp – Register of Heritage at Risk (Historic England)
- National Monuments Record: No. 189007 – Norton Camp
- The Archaeology of Somerset, Michael Aston and Ian Burrow (Eds) (1982) ISBN 0-86183-028-8