More information : [SU 8636 6570] Caesar's Camp [G.T.]. (1) Caesar's Camp, Easthampstead is a hill fort with single bank and ditch on the NW. Elsewhere there is an additional outer bank and to the south a second ditch and third bank. Original entrances are at the N. & S. and a small mound stands just within the N. entrance (2) There was a well inside the camp and Roman and British coins have been found there including one of Cunobelin in silver (3). Neolithic hammer stone found in the camp (Reading Mus Acc No. 28.36). (4) Plan (5) [AO 62/80/3]. (2-5) The artificial defences, rigidly following the contours of the hill, consist of inner rampart, ditch and outer bank. Along part of the west side is an inner quarry ditch. To the south where the approaches are near level there is an additional outer bank and ditch which, judging by its relationship with the main work, was probably a secondary feature. Only two of the six gaps in the defences can be definitely identified as original entrances (see 25" survey. The 'mound' mentioned by authority '2' inside the north entrance, is apparently a reference to a severely mutilated stretch of the fort's defences. The interior of the fort is nearly all under thick afforestation. There is no trace of a well visible; a building with well nearby shown on O.S. 25" 1911 have been completely destroyed. Resurveyed at 1/2500. (6) Survey of 23.11.62 checked and correct. (7) Caesar's Camp, Easthampstead, is an Iron Age hill-fort of c.20 acres, the defences consisting of a high inner bank and ditch, with a marked counterscarp bank in places. There are possible entrances on the north and south, the latter side having a supplementary defence; breaks in the east rampart are probably not original. The Devil's Highway passes half a mile to the south of the camp and a branch road from it, postulated as Roman, leads towards the southern entrance. Piggott found a sherd of haematite ware, indicative of Wessex Second 'A' influence, Gough records a silver coin of Cunobelinus which may be from the hill-fort, while Stukeley referred to British and Roman coins being connected with the site. (8) SU 865655. The laying of a water main gave some opportunity for observing the stratification of this unexcavated Iron Age Fort. From several months observation a complete section through the south ditch was made. The only datable find in the ditch was a large piece of Roman tile. (9) Additional bibliograpy. (10) SU 864657. Caesar's Camp. Scheduled no 32. (11)
SU 863 657. Caesar's Camp, Easthampstead. Listed in gazetteer as a univallate hillfort covering 7.8ha. (12)
A report is currently being prepared by RCHME field staff, consult NMRC for details (13).
Scheduled. An online version of the designated record can be accessed on the National Heritage List for England. (14-15) |