Bullsdown Camp, Bramley, Hampshire: Analytical Earthwork Survey
Author(s): Olaf Bayer
A Level 3 analytical earthwork survey of Bullsdown Camp; hillfort, Bramley, Hampshire was undertaken by Historic England as part of the Silchester Environs Project in early 2017. Enclosing an area of 3.4ha, with a total footprint of 7.3ha, and defined by two sets of banks and ditches, Bullsdown Camp is a medium sized, multivallate hillfort. It occupies a slight rise in a locally prominent plateau, and has a broadly level interior. The hillfort’s ramparts have an unusual configuration. It is enclosed by a slight inner bank, substantial inner and outer ditches, and a substantial outer counterscarp bank. The inner and outer ditches are separated by a berm up to 8m wide on which is a slight and intermittent inner counterscarp bank and a more continuous outer bank. The ramparts are well preserved on the eastern and southern sides of the hillfort, have been partially levelled on the western side, and have been flattened on its northern edge. Two possible original entrances were recorded on the hillfort’s north-west and north-east sides. A number of other breaches in the ramparts are considered to be post-medieval in date. No surface traces of Iron Age activity were recorded in the interior of the hillfort. A curving boundary linking the hillfort to Bullsdown Copse 200m to the south may be associated with a medieval deer park. Several woodland banks and boundary ditches of presumed post-medieval date were recorded overlying or cut into the hillfort’s ramparts. Two early 20th century trackways were recorded in hillfort’s interior. Two small brick buildings to the north of the hillfort probably date to the Second World War.
- Report Number:
- 51/2017
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 50
- Keywords:
- Geophysical Survey Survey Analytical Landscape Survey Earthwork Woodland Deer Park Hillfort
