Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland

EN0394 Yarnbury Castle, Wiltshire (Yarnbury Camp)

LiDAR 1m DTM Hillshade

LiDAR 1m DTM Hillshade

Satellite Imagery

Satellite Imagery

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HER:  Wiltshire MWI7222 (None)

NMR:  SU 04 SW 6 (215137)

SM:  1005689

NGR:  SU03524039

X:  403526  Y:  140392  (OSGB36)

Summary

Large, multiphase and complex, multivallate, contour hillfort enclosing 11ha located on prominent Upper Chalk downland spur of Berwick Down above Wylye Valley 3km to SW, with access to river via dry valley S of Deptford Down. Circuit comprises three earthen ramparts with outer ditches, although outer ditch absent on NE as result of later downland drove way. Overall width of defences c. 20m. Outer rampart, up to 3.5m high above the 1.7m deep ditch, encroached upon by median rampart in places, suggesting that this and inner rampart were either constructed or enlarged later. In places berm at original ground surface level survives between middle and outer banks, and this and irregular quarry ditch along the inside of inner rampart, further evidence of alterations to original plan. Within hillfort interior is earlier enclosure of 5.2ha best preserved on W and SW. The marked 'causewayed' effect of ditch due Iron Age and Romano-British structures date into the feature, making use of shelter. On the NW ditch modified by track leading from entrance, and serving compounds and structures of later phase. Entrance into inner enclosure sited on W side and flanked by two low mounds which may be the remains of spoil heaps associated with Cunnington's excavations. Small enclosure outside ramparts on W probably late Romano-British stock enclosure. Quarry scoops behind inner rampart for most of circuit. Marked hollows in ditch bottoms, often reflected by 'dumps' on rampart crests suggest 'gang' working, as also do the straight rampart lengths. Of the seven breaches in the circuit, only those on N and E, and possibly on W, can be considered original, rest later and some possibly associated with Romano-British occupation or post medieval drove ways. Great intensity of occupation with over 130 probable structures surviving mainly as hollows up to 1m deep. Majority circular, 7m to 15m diameter, many being set within compounds or yards. On N and E, between earlier circuit and inner rampart, large compounds containing structures visible, with possible stone footings visible within many. Not all of these structures likely contemporary. Within a number of them indications of overlapping elements. Also pits, probably contemporary with the occupation, visible. In SE remains of Winterbourne Stoke sheep fair held biannually until 1916, when surrounding area commandeered by the army. Prominent sheep folds visible. Site excavated by Colt Hoare (1812) and Maud Cunnington (1933). On 1st Ed OS map (1887-8).

Status

Citizen Science:  

Reliability of Data:  Confirmed

Reliability of Interpretation:  Confirmed

Location

X:  -217181  Y:  6650126  (EPSG: 3857)

Longitude:  -1.9509729172523707  Latitude:  51.162709399231474  (EPSG:4326)

Country:  England; None

Current County or Unitary Authority:  Wiltshire

Historic County:  Wiltshire

Current Parish/Community/Council/Townland:  Steeple Langford; Berwick St James

Monument Condition

General good condition apart from some quarrying on inner SE rampart. Numerous banks and scoops in interior result of annual sheep fairs from 18th century to 1916. SSSI.

Condition:
Extant  
Cropmark  
Likely Destroyed  

Land Use

Downland pasture. Quarrying.

Current Use:
Woodland  
Commercial Forestry Plantation  
Parkland  
Pasture (Grazing)  
Arable  
Scrub/Bracken  
Bare Outcrop  
Heather/Moorland  
Heath  
Built-up  
Coastal Grassland  
Other  

Landscape

Hillfort Type

Large, multiphase, multivallate contour hillfort enclosing 11ha located on prominent Upper Chalk downland spur ridge of Berwick Down above Wylye Valley 3km to SW, with access to river via dry valley S of Deptford Down.

Type:
Contour Fort  
Partial Contour Fort  
Promontory Fort  
Hillslope Fort  
Level Terrain Fort  
Marsh Fort  
Multiple Enclosure Fort  

Topographic Position

Important and large hillfort strategically sited on prominent and high downland spur above the River Wylye valley, and above Berwick Down to the north-east. Bilbury Rings and Grovely Castle hillforts sited on opposite side of the valley.

Position:
Hilltop  
Coastal Promontory  
Inland Promontory  
Valley Bottom  
Knoll/Hillock/Outcrop  
Ridge  
Cliff/Plateau-edge/Scarp  
Hillslope  
Lowland  
Spur  

Dominant Topographic Feature:  Prominent downland spur ridge.

Aspect:
North  
Northeast  
East  
Southeast  
South  
Southwest  
West  
Northwest  
Level  

Altitude:  167.0m

Boundary

Boundary Type:  Parish/Townland


Dating Evidence

Dated to 100 BC, with a small internal enclosure dated to 300 BC as result of pottery.

Reliability:  B - Medium

Principal Activity:
Pre 1200BC  
1200BC - 800BC  
800BC - 400BC  
400BC - AD50  
AD50 - AD400  
AD400 - AD 800  
Post AD800  
Unknown  

Other Activity:
Pre Hillfort:   None
Post Hillfort:   None

Evidence:
Artefactual:   Dated to 100 BC, with a small internal enclosure dated to 300 BC.

Investigation History

In Aubrey's Monumenta Britannica (1665-1693). On 1st Ed OS map (1887-8). Excavated 1800-10 by W.Cunnington Sen. and June 1932 by B.H. and M.E. Cunnington. Geophysical surveys by Geophysical Surveys of Bradford on behalf of RCHME in 1987.

Investigations:
Excavation (1932):   B.H. and M.E. Cunnington
Other (1984):   Visited by Hillfort Study Group
Geophysical Survey (1987):   Surveyed by Geophysical Surveys of Bradford on behalf of RCHME.
1st Identified Written Reference (None):   In Aubrey's Monumenta Britannica.
Excavation (None):   W. Cunnington Sen.
1st Identified Map Depiction (None):   OS map.

Interior Features

Great intensity of occupation with over 130 probable structures surviving mainly as hollows up to 1m deep. Majority circular, 7m to 15m diameter, many being set within compounds or yards. On N and E, between earlier circuit and inner rampart, large compounds containing structures visible, with possible stone footings visible within many. Not all of these structures likely contemporary. Within a number of them indications of overlapping elements. Also pits, probably contemporary with the occupation, visible. Excavations have recovered Iron Age and Roman pottery, as well as inhumations in both graves and pits, and other human remains. Iron Age and Roman coins were also found. Roman material, including pottery, tiles, coins and burials from excavation and chance finds led to site's inclusion in Scott's gazetteer of Roman villas.

Water Source

None

Source:
None  
Spring  
Stream  
Pool  
Flush  
Well  
Other  

Surface

Great intensity of occupation with over 130 probable structures surviving mainly as hollows up to 1m deep. Majority circular, 7m to 15m diameter, many being set within compounds or yards. On N and E, between earlier circuit and inner rampart, large compounds containing structures visible, with possible stone footings visible within many. Not all of these structures likely contemporary. Within a number of them indications of overlapping elements. Also pits, probably contemporary with the occupation, visible. Prominent sheep folds visible, a rectangular area 120m by 90m and consisting of 16 low mounds in two blocks of 8. The present sheep fold probably 19th century. Quarry scoops behind inner rampart for most of circuit.

Interior Features (Surface):
No Known Features  
Round Stone Structures  
Rectangular Stone Structures  
Curvilinear Platforms  
Other Roundhouse Evidence  
Pits  
Quarry Hollows  
Other  

Excavation

Pits.

Interior Features (Excavation):
No Known Excavation  
Pits  
Postholes  
Roundhouses  
Rectangular Structures  
Roads/Tracks  
Quarry Hollows  
Other  
Nothing Found  

Geophysics

Pits.

Interior Features (Geophysics):
No Known Geophysics  
Pits  
Roundhouses  
Rectangular Structures  
Roads/Tracks  
Quarry Hollows  
Other  
Nothing Found  

Finds

Excavations have recovered Iron Age and Roman pottery, as well as inhumations in both graves and pits, and other human remains. Iron Age and Roman coins were also found. Roman material, including pottery, tiles, coins and burials from excavation and chance finds led to site's inclusion in Scott's gazetteer of Roman villas.

Interior (Finds):
No Known Finds  
Pottery  
Metal  
Metalworking  
Human Bones  
Animal Bones  
Lithics  
Environmental  
Other  

Aerial

None

Interior Features (Aerial):
APs Not Checked  
None  
Roundhouses  
Rectangular Structures  
Pits  
Postholes  
Roads/Tracks  
Other  

Entrances

Of the seven breaches in the defensive circuit, only those on N and E possibly original, rest of later date, some possibly associated with Romano-British occupation, although break in W may have been made to give access to later sub-rectangular enclosure on that side. Elaborate and complex inturned entrance on E and offset entrance on N.

Total Number of Breaks Through Ramparts:  
7:   Of the seven breaches in the defensive circuit, only those on N and E possibly original, rest of later date, some possibly associated with Romano-British occupation.

Number of Possible Original Entrances:  
2:   Main entrances on N and E. Break in the W may have been made to give access to the later sub-rectangular enclosure on that side.

Guard Chambers:  

Chevaux de Frise:  

Entrances:
1. In-turned (East):   Elaborate and complex.
2. Oblique (North):   Oblique entrance.
3. Simple Gap (West):   Break in the W may have been made to give access to the later sub-rectangular enclosure on that side.

Enclosing Works

Circuit comprises three ramparts with outer ditches, although outer ditch absent on NE as result of later downland drove way. Overall width of defences c. 20m. Outer rampart, up to 3.5m high above the 1.7m deep ditch, encroached upon by median rampart in places, suggesting that this and inner rampart were either constructed or enlarged later. In places berm at original ground surface level survives between middle and outer banks, and this and irregular quarry ditch along the inside of inner rampart, further evidence of alterations to original plan.

Enclosed Area:
Area 1:   5.2ha.
Area 2:   11.0ha.
Total:   11.0ha.

Total Footprint Area:  Noneha.

Ramparts

None

Multi-period Enclosure System:
✓   Outer rampart, up to 3.5m high above the 1.7m deep ditch, encroached upon by median rampart in places, suggesting that this and inner rampart were either constructed or enlarged later.

Ramparts Form a Continuous Circuit:
✓   None

Number of Ramparts:  
NE Quadrant:   2
SE Quadrant:   3
SW Quadrant:   3
NW Quadrant:   3
Total:   3

Morphology

Current Morphology:
Partial Univallate  
Univallate  
Partial Bivallate  
Bivallate  
Partial Multivallate  
Multivallate  
Unknown  

Detailed Morphology:
Partial Univallate  
Univallate  
Partial Bivallate  
Bivallate  
Partial Multivallate  
Multivallate  

Surface Evidence

None

Enclosing Works (Surface):
None  
Earthen Bank  
Stone Wall  
Rubble  
Wall-walk  
Evidence of Timber  
Vitrification  
Other Burning  
Palisade  
Counter Scarp Bank  
Berm  
Unfinished  
Other  

Excavated Evidence

None

Enclosing Works (Excavation):
None  
Earthen Bank  
Stone Wall  
Murus Duplex  
Timber-framed  
Timber-laced  
Vitrification  
Other Burning  
Palisade  
Counter Scarp Bank  
Berm  
Unfinished  
No Known Excavation  
Other  

Other

Gang Working:
✓   Marked hollows in ditch bottoms, often reflected by 'dumps' on rampart crests, suggest 'gang' working, as also do the straight rampart lengths.

Ditches:
✓   Outer ditch absent on NE as result of later downland drove way.

Number of Ditches:  3

Annex:
✗   None

References

Pugh, R.B. and Crittall, E. 1957. A history of Wiltshire, 1.1, The Victoria History of the Counties of England, London: OUP, 1.2, 430.

Cunnington, M.E. 1933. Yarnbury, Wiltshire, Wiltshire Archaeol Natur Hist Mag, 46, 198-217.

Geophysical Surveys of Bradford 1987. Report on Geophysical Survey: Yarnbury Castle, Wiltshire/Spring 1987,Geophysical Surveys of Bradford/Reports.

Colt Hoare, R.C. 1812. The ancient history of Wiltshire, I, London: Miller.



Terms of Use

This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 and should be cited as:

Lock, Gary and Ralston, Ian. 2024. Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland. Available at: https://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk


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