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Hunsbury HillHillfort
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I used to live in Northampton. the hillfort was very atmospheric. I believe the skulls with the 3 holes in them were probably supended from a door frame or ceiling beams. It's a shame the place is heaving with chavs who can make your visit uncomfortable. I wonder if the forst is in anyway connected to the now vanished Briar hill neolithic causewayed camp which was nearby. |
Posted by hoodedman 17th December 2006ce |
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Hunsbury Hill Vitrified Fort by Heptangle Early last year a new survey to asses the condition of Hunsbury Hill Iron age Fort was undertaken, the results of which now prove that this is no ordinary fort as some might of first thought… http://www.jwaller.co.uk/nas/Hunsbury_Hillfort.htm According to the new survey, the first ramparts were built between 7,000 – 4,000 BC as a box shaped structure made of wood and supported by further timberwork. The fort was possibly occupied at the time by the Neolithic farmers who tended the surrounding grassland areas. During the later Iron Age period of between 3,000 – 2,000 BC the fort and the internal banks were rebuilt into a simpler, circular structure of banks and ditches. Some resources, such as the new local council display boards and those at the local museum indicate that the fort was perhaps occupied by a Celtic King or Chieftain, other Nobles, Priests and highly talented craftspeople who were expert in metal crafts, pottery, carpentry & agriculture. The findings of crafts unearthed during previous excavations can be seen on display on the top floor of the Northampton museum. Further information on the latest excavations and various scientific readings of the fort can be found on the Northamptonshire Archaeological Societies web site. The fascinating conclusion of the survey found that the entire circumference of the internal rampart appears to have been purposely burnt at an intense heat and vitrified during the Iron Age phase. This makes Hunsbury Hill Fort 'pretty' unique because many other known vitrified forts like this are found mostly in Scotland. Sadly the 2004 survey found that the site is not in good condition and the ramparts in the Northern area are very badly eroded. This is mostly down to the resident rabbits burrow damage and allegedly from the roots of the now guardian trees and shrubbery. Although it could also be argued that this may not be the case and that the mighty Oak and Ash trees that grow around the ring in fact actually do an awesome job of protecting the site from severe weather erosion, such as, the battering high winds and torrential rains typical of this area. Tragically too, many joy ridden abandoned vehicles are vitrified around the park on regular basis, which causes more damage to the already fragile ramparts and surrounding vegetation. However highly effective and dedicated local groups, the local college and the Council have recently done a fantastic job of improving the park in various ways, such as, rebuilding the ancient hedgerows and towing away the molten debris of the frequently burnt automobiles, making the park a much more pleasant environment of late. One word of warning though! Don't leave anything of value in your car should you visit the centre, as the entire area is 'ringed' by a gang of theives. |
Posted by heptangle1st February 2005ce Edited 13th January 2007ce |
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I live right by the hillfort and it is a mess - I sometimes ring up to complain about abandoned cars etc. I use it as a GCSE coursework assignment - what is the purpose of the hillfort? We look at a variety of interpretations dating back to the 19th century. The museum reconstruction is not based on reality at all, as my students discover when they think about the small size of the interior of the fort. You couldn't possbly get all those huts in! Because the interior was mined for ironstone in the 19th century, there is no evidence of any inhabitation or post holes. However, the finds, which can be seen in the Central museum, are amazing and raise lots of questions. Why were there huge numbers of quernstones buried in pits? Why was the scabbard bent into 3? Why do the skulls and some pots have 3 holes in them? The previous curator in the education dept thought that the site may have had religious significance as three was a sacred number and iron age people often buried things in the ground as offerings. The quernstones come from far afield - Dorset and Derbyshire. There is evidence of trade and the fort is on an old road (known locally as Green lane). The ramparts changed shape and this may indicate a change in function (there is a similar change at Rainsborough and at other hillforts such as Danebury). One day, when I have more time, I want to look into the background to the hillfort in more detail, as it's a really significant site in terms of finds. |
Posted by SarahJane 17th April 2003ce |
| and no-one knows/cares about it sadly. Its a bike track and place to dump old trollies and near which to burn cars. But the main point is that its still here and visible. Well mentioned. |
Posted by thebaz 14th March 2003ce |
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Within Hunsbury Hill country park, to the south of Northampton, are the remains of an Iron Age camp site, this is an elevated site with a high inner bank, a deep ditch and outer bank. The site dates around 1000 – 500 BC. The Hunsbury Ring Camp would have had an outer perimeter fence encompassing the dwellings which were no more than single room huts made up of timber and straw - normally round in shape. The Chieftain and retinue would have occupied the inner camp with their families whilst the rest farmed small plots in the Local area. There is a reconstruction model of how it may have looked in use at the Central Museum and Art Gallery in Northampton. |
Posted by Damonm 14th January 2003ce Edited 14th January 2003ce |
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