Stonea Camp forum 1 room
Image by GLADMAN
close

This superb fen-fort, upstanding in the 1920's, then disgracefully (very) seriously damaged by ploughing, was later restored by archaeologists. Any thoughts as to this type of exercise?

For the record I waited many years before finally visiting due to this... but was bowled over......

Well, in my view it's better to have something put back. As long is it is faithful to the original plan and scale (I imagine the layout was still completely apparent, or at least recorded). Obviously the earthwork isn't strictly "original", and the methods of construction "inauthentic", but does it really detract? By having the earthwork restored, at least the site's landscape context is also restored, which to my mind is an essential aspect of any prehistoric site. Also, it presumably will make it less likely to be ploughed out again. If it had been left, there was a fair chance of the rest going the same way.

Finally, it may provide a useful opportunity to measure erosion, etc, like the experimental earthwork on Fyfield Down.

Perhaps it may serve as a hopeful example for Priddy's future?

I don't have a problem with reconstructed sites as long as it is as faithful and accurate as possible.

It is also nice to visit a site to see what it would have looked like in its prime (as close as possible)

Something is certainly better than nothing!

As an ex-Fens inhabitant, I was equally affected by the Camp when I finall visited about 10 years ago.

Can recommend "Stonea and the Roman fens" by Tim Malim
ISBN 0 7524 2899 3

It illustrates in fair detail how the investigations and restoration proceeded.

I got my copy from Oxbow Books online........still available for under a tenner!