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Summary

Geophysical survey recorded a group of anomalies at Hembury Hillfort.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1018850: Hembury Fort
• Scheduled Monument 1018850: Hembury Fort

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURE (Unknown date)

Full description

Griffith, F. M. + Wilkes, E. M., 2015, Hembury, Payhembury Fort, Devon: Geophysical Survey (Report - Geophysical Survey). SDV360845.

Hembury (Payhembury) Fort is considered to be the most westerly of the ‘Wessex style’ multivallate hillforts of the first millennium BC, with earlier occupation, demonstrated through excavations in the 1930s and 1980s, as a Neolithic causewayed enclosure, and with subsequent Roman military use. It occupies a spur of Upper Greensand overlooking the Otter valley and river Tale tributary at ST 11255 03080. The non-intrusive evaluation was designed to determine the viability of two geophysical survey techniques prior to a full-scale survey. The hilltop had recently been partially cleared of dense undergrowth and trees had been thinned, so affording the first opportunity for area surveys to be conducted.

Anomaly E is near the eastern edge of the interior, circa 18.5 metres south of the NE entrance and circa 20 metres NNW of where a probable survey pin was observed. This response may represent a similar metal item below the surface. The pin and the anomaly are near the area excavated by Todd and may be related markers. Nothing was visible on the ground at the location of anomaly E.

Griffith, F. M. + Wilkes, E. M., 2016, Hembury, Payhembury Fort, Devon: Geophysical Survey (Report - Geophysical Survey). SDV360861.

A sample survey to explore the potential of two geophysical survey techniques at Hembury Fort was conducted by this team in May 2015. This confirmed the usefulness of both magnetic gradiometry and earth resistance techniques within the hillfort. Vegetation clearance at the time of that survey had opened up some areas of the interior for survey, but much of it, particularly in the southern half of the site, remained inaccessible. A further survey was undertaken in 2016 when conditions were more favourable.

Anomaly E is near the eastern edge of the interior, circa 18.5 metres south of the NE entrance and circa 20 metres NNW of where a probable survey pin, maybe related to Todd’s excavations, was observed in 2015. This response may represent a similar metal item below the surface. The pin and the anomaly are near the area excavated by Todd (see Figure 10 lower) and may be markers relating to this phase of work. Nothing was visible on the ground at the location of anomaly E in either year of survey.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7503 - Geophysical Survey: Hembury, Payhembury Fort, Devon
• EDV7504 - Geophysical Survey; Hembury, Payhembury Fort, Devon

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