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Summary

Geophysical survey recorded a small anomaly group. Without further exploration the anomaly remains unidentified.

Location

Protected Status

• 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.

Near the centre of the northern area, anomaly D comprises an approximate right angle of positive responses. The two lines of responses are c.5.5 metres long and their terminals lie under scrub so could not be surveyed. This area has not been excavated; further high resolution survey is recommended if the scrub is cleared or thinned.

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

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. 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. Further survey was recommended when conditions were more favourable.


The area of anomaly D, in the north of the hillfort, had recently been cleared of vegetation in 2016. Easier access across this area made for a smoother survey and it can now be seen that this anomaly does not form an approximate right angle as recorded in 2015, but is a strong positive response (max +312nT) measuring approx 5m x 2m. No excavation has been recorded in this area so it is unlikely that this represents a backfilled trench. However, this is an area where particularly dense vegetation has recently been cleared and this may have had an impact on the detection of the anomaly.

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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