THE ancient hillfort of Burrough Hill will reveal some of its historic secrets on Sunday (June 26) as University of Leicester archaeologists welcome the public to a major excavation of the site.
Situated on the Jurassic scarp with commanding views of the surrounding countryside, Burrough Hill is one of the most striking and frequently visited prehistoric monuments in central Britain. But despite the site’s importance, relatively little is known about its ancient past.
Last year a team from the university began a five-year survey and excavation of the site with support from the landowner, national educational charity the Ernest Cook Trust, as well as English Heritage and Leicestershire County Council.
Trenches dug within the fort last summer revealed part of its stone defences, along with a cobbled road and massive timber gateway, as well as a ‘guard’ chamber built into the entrance rampart. This room still had surviving Iron Age floors, complete with hearths – an incredibly rare find.
The most surprising discovery so far is evidence of a further large Iron Age settlement just outside the hillfort that was discovered by geophysical survey, suggesting that the hillfort community may have been even larger than thought.
This year the team is revisiting the massive eastern entrance to expose the rest of the chamber and reveal clues as to what it was used for.
Excavations will go on until July 15. On Sunday, from 11am to 4pm, there will be guided tours and a display of archaeological finds, as well as a chance to meet an ‘Iron Age warrior’, make ancient coins and learn about life in a roundhouse.
A guided walk around the hillfort will also be held at the end of the dig on Monday, July 18 as part of the national Festival of Archaeology.
For more information visit www.le.ac.uk/departments/archaeology and www.ernestcooktrust.org.uk
Source: Melton Times [June 22, 2011]
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| Fieldschool at the Iron Age hillfort of Burrough Hill in Leicestershire [Credit: University of Leicester] |
Last year a team from the university began a five-year survey and excavation of the site with support from the landowner, national educational charity the Ernest Cook Trust, as well as English Heritage and Leicestershire County Council.
Trenches dug within the fort last summer revealed part of its stone defences, along with a cobbled road and massive timber gateway, as well as a ‘guard’ chamber built into the entrance rampart. This room still had surviving Iron Age floors, complete with hearths – an incredibly rare find.
The most surprising discovery so far is evidence of a further large Iron Age settlement just outside the hillfort that was discovered by geophysical survey, suggesting that the hillfort community may have been even larger than thought.
This year the team is revisiting the massive eastern entrance to expose the rest of the chamber and reveal clues as to what it was used for.
Excavations will go on until July 15. On Sunday, from 11am to 4pm, there will be guided tours and a display of archaeological finds, as well as a chance to meet an ‘Iron Age warrior’, make ancient coins and learn about life in a roundhouse.
A guided walk around the hillfort will also be held at the end of the dig on Monday, July 18 as part of the national Festival of Archaeology.
For more information visit www.le.ac.uk/departments/archaeology and www.ernestcooktrust.org.uk
Source: Melton Times [June 22, 2011]