The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

Mistleberry Fort

Hillfort

Miscellaneous

Details of site on Pastscape

An earthwork enclosure in Mistleberry Wood, immediately adjacent to the Wiltshire border. Described by RCHME as an unfinished hillfort, it occupies a less than ideal defensive location on the southern slope of a spur, overlooked by higher ground to the northeast. The enclosing earthworks consist of a bank with external ditch. Assuming that a complete enclosure was the intention, the eastern half is more or less complete, with a southeast facing entrance gap. On the northwest, the bank gradually reduces in height, while the ditch becomes a series of shallow pits. No earthworks are evident in the southwest quadrant (this area may, of course, have been enclosed by some other, non-earthwork, means). At its maximum extent, the bank is 24 feet wide and 4 feet high. The ditch is also a maximum of circa 24 feet wide. If complete, the earthworks would enclose an area of circa 2 acres. The site is probably to be identified with Mealeburg, which is mentioned in a charter of 956 AD. Otherwise there is no dating evidence, although an Iron Age date is commonly assumed.
Chance Posted by Chance
4th June 2014ce

Comments (0)

You must be logged in to add a comment