See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

Geophysical survey recorded a group of anomalies at Hembury Hillfort.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1018850: Hembury Fort

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• PIT CLUSTER? (Early Neolithic to Late Iron Age - 4000 BC to 42 AD (Between))
• STRUCTURE? (LANEBA to Roman - 2500 BC to 409 AD (Between))

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.

An anomaly group in the shape of an arc has the diameter of 10.5 metres, similar to that of other anomalies to the north-east and north-west thought to be roundhouses. There is less suggestion that this represents a structure, the points are slightly larger and this may be an arrangement of pits.

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.

Another arc of point anomalies was recorded in both years at F. This arc has a diameter of 10.5 metres, similar to that of anomaly B, but with stronger responses (maximum 150nT compared to 75nT at B). Contrary to the interpretation in 2015, this now seems likely to represent a post‐built structure or an arrangement of pits, with a partial arc of three similar point anomalies c. 2.5 metres to the south west.

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

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.