The Archaeology of Castle Hill, Wittenham Clumps

HOMEPAGE

The Archaeology of Castle Hill

Trench 1

Trench 2

Trench 3

Trench 5

Week 5

Trench 3

Trench 6

Index

Week 2 update

Week 3 update

Week 4 update

Week 6 update

Interim Summary Reports

Photographs of people at work

NEW!

Latest from Castle Hill

The Roman pit found in Trench 3.

The large rectangular feature visible on the English Heritage geophysical survey, which we have been excavating two thirds of the way down the trench, has finally been bottomed, and is more than 1.8 m deep. Finds show that it was dug in the Roman period. Interpretations of these features have ranged from chalk quarries to terraces for buildings. With its vertical sides and flat bottom the feature is very regular for a quarry, but no traces of any structure have been found to support the building theory. The feature is so deep that, if it was part of a building, it must have been a cellar. We are now clearing around the edge to look for traces of surrounding postholes.

If you would like to help on the dig please speak to one of the team, or contact Denise Price, at Oxford Archaeology on 01865 263800. Application forms may also be obtained by e-mail from denise.price@oxfordarch.co.uk.