More information : (SP 526348) Rainsborough Camp (LB) (1)
Excavations of Rainsborough camp during 1961-5 revealed the
following. A bivallate IA fort, the inner bank standing about
10ft above the interior, with a drop of about 15ft into the inner
ditch; the second bank is very much lowered by ploughing, but
still reaches a height of about 4ft on the S side, where a hedge
line has protected it; the outer ditch is not visible on the
surface except on the W, when it carries a higher growth of weeds.
?6th/5thc BC postholes and scatter of occupation debris before
construction of the first rampart.
5thc BC double rampart and ditch with an inturned entrance on the
west, having two stone-lined C-shaped guardrooms set into the
inturns. The inner rampart being stone faced.
?Early 4thc BC period of occupation; inner ditch cleaned out
followed by deliberate burning of fort.
?Late 2nd c BC double bank ditch, simple inner entrance, perhaps
unfinished.
?Late 1st c AD RB pottery of this date found in outer ditch
indicating occupation.
?Late 4th c AD stone foundations of a 10ft square RB building,
(the floor of which contained 20 coins, ranging in date from the
3rd to 4th c AD were set upon the filled-in inner ditch near the
inner entrance causeway.
In the 18thc the inner bank was heightened and inner ditch
deepened; walling put round the summit of the inner bank for
landscape gardening.
Finds of early IA sherds dating from 6th to 2ndc BC, together
with a bronze ring. (2)
"Numerous Roman coins have been turned up here of late in the
process of agricultural cultivation". (3)
A plateau fort under permanent pasture and in fair condition
despite many minor mutilations to the ramparts. See 1:2500
survey revised.
The feature shown on Auth 2's plan and marked barrow is
landscaping. (4)
Nothing visible on air photographs. (5)
No change to report of 10 2 70. Survey transferred to 1:2500
MSD. (6)
Hill Fort (SP 526348). The possibility that the fort was the centre
of a large Iron Age estate which remained intact into the medieval
period has been suggested. [RCHM plan and profile]. (7-8)
SP 526 348. Rainsborough. Listed in gazetteer as a multivallate hillfort covering 2.5ha. (9)
Rainsborough or Charlton Camp. Additional reference with plan. (10) |