Here’s the glorious multivallate Iron Age hillfort (and Roman fort) atop #HodHill #Dorset @nationaltrust
looking east in this aerial photo from 2016 © Jo and Sue Crane
A thread to celebrate #HillfortsWednesday

A thread to celebrate #HillfortsWednesday
Double ramparts define the 22ha hillfort of Hod Hill #Dorset except on the W with a single bank. Quarry pits form a line behind the ramparts. A Roman fort occupies the NW
Digital terrain model planlauf/TERRAIN from @HenryRothwell http://www.digitaldigging.net/hod-hill-dorset/
#HillfortsWednesday
Digital terrain model planlauf/TERRAIN from @HenryRothwell http://www.digitaldigging.net/hod-hill-dorset/
#HillfortsWednesday
The 2.6ha Roman fort at Hod Hill dates to c AD 44-52. It reused the N and W ramparts of the hillfort and was defended on its S and E sides by a rampart and 3 ditches
Excavations in 1951-8 revealed much of the internal structure
#HillfortsWednesday
Excavations in 1951-8 revealed much of the internal structure
#HillfortsWednesday
It was thought the Roman army built a fort on Hod Hill after laying siege to the Iron Age hillfort (as shown in this excellent reconstruction painting © Nick Skelton @nationaltrust)
Now it seems the hillfort was abandoned a good century before the Romans
#HillfortsWednesday
Now it seems the hillfort was abandoned a good century before the Romans
#HillfortsWednesday
Excavations at Hod Hill found iron projectiles from a Roman ballista. Ian Richmond thought these had been fired into the hillfort during a siege. It seems more likely they were fired from the Roman fort during catapult practice
Ballistae © Mariusz Kozik
#HillfortsWednesday
Ballistae © Mariusz Kozik
#HillfortsWednesday
Most discussion of Hod Hill #Dorset @nationaltrust centres on the death of the Iron Age hillfort. We wanted to focus on its life, therefore conducted a geophysical survey of the interior
Here it is
© Dave Stewart and Bournemouth University #HillfortsWednesday #LoveGeofiz
Here it is

© Dave Stewart and Bournemouth University #HillfortsWednesday #LoveGeofiz
The most striking features on our geofiz of Hod Hill are the 10-15m diameter Iron Age roundhouses which are so densely packed that they often overlap
Some are set within enclosures. All cluster alongside a road system that branches out from the NE gate
#HillfortsWednesday
Some are set within enclosures. All cluster alongside a road system that branches out from the NE gate

#HillfortsWednesday
The so-called chieftain’s hut at Hod Hill #Dorset which was thought had been the target of a Roman artillery attack, was not the largest enclosed house built inside the hillfort as the geophysical survey shows
Sometimes we spend hours looking at this plot
#HillfortsWednesday
Sometimes we spend hours looking at this plot

#HillfortsWednesday
Tantalising close ups of our geophysical survey inside Hod Hill
An Iron Age roundhouse with gulley, internal post ring, storage pits, hearth and SE facing entrance
A section of road bordered by rows of 4 post structures - (possibly granaries)
#HillfortsWednesday #LoveGeofiz
An Iron Age roundhouse with gulley, internal post ring, storage pits, hearth and SE facing entrance
A section of road bordered by rows of 4 post structures - (possibly granaries)
#HillfortsWednesday #LoveGeofiz
Hod Hill #Dorset for #HillfortsWednesday:
The view to the North of the Iron Age ramparts to the Iwerne Valley and the view NW to the River Stour
Proper lovely
The view to the North of the Iron Age ramparts to the Iwerne Valley and the view NW to the River Stour
Proper lovely


More of Hod Hill #Dorset for #HillfortsWednesday
:
the northern bivallate ramparts of the hillfort looking East;
the Eastern circuit of the Roman fort where it intersects with the Iron Age earthworks;
the Southern inner scarp with quarry pits

the northern bivallate ramparts of the hillfort looking East;
the Eastern circuit of the Roman fort where it intersects with the Iron Age earthworks;
the Southern inner scarp with quarry pits
Gates that pierce the circuit of Iron Age ramparts on Hod Hill in #Dorset:
the Steepleton Gate (Iron Age) in the NE;
the Water Gate (Roman) in the NW;
the Home Gate (medieval) in the SE
Happy #HillfortsWednesday everyone !
the Steepleton Gate (Iron Age) in the NE;
the Water Gate (Roman) in the NW;
the Home Gate (medieval) in the SE
Happy #HillfortsWednesday everyone !