Monument record MDO95 - Eggardon Hill, hillfort

A hillfort on the summit of a hill at the western end of a ridge, and enclosing an area of over twenty acres. Most of perimeter of the hillfort is made up of three ramparts with ditches between, and two entrances. One section on the southern side appears to have been affected by a landslip and been repaired; here the multiple banks and ditches are not continuous. Slight earthworks of hut circles and pits are visible in the interior. Earthwork remains of a multivallate hillfort of Iron Age date. The site has seen two episodes of excavation, one in 1900 and a more extensive campaign in 1963-66. Finds from the interior date from the Neolithic onwards. The hillfort itself is pre-dated by linear earthworks which cross its interior and appear to be associated with later Bronze Age pottery. Pits and other features in the interior produced finds of Early Iron Age to Late Iron Age date. The interior also contains two Bronze Age round barrows and an octagonal enclosure which represents a former coppice or sea mark. Summary from record MDO2139: Earthwork remains of a multivallate hillfort of Iron Age date.

The floor of the camp is strewn with pit dwellings; other information similar. <1> <5>

"Fosses, mounds and pit-circles occur both within and without "the fortifications of the hill-fort," and one remarkable pit circle consisting of two distinct depressions connected by a common entrance". <2>

Reference to a treble row of depressions, some sixty in number, which existed "behind the top vallum". The depressions were later destroyed by gravel digging. <3>

A hillfort consisting of 3 ramparts with 2 medial ditches, except at the N.W. and E. where entrances occur. The N.W. entrance has an additional outer bank, ditch and counterscarp across the ridge, merging into the main line of defence. The entrance is staggered from one line of defence to the next. At the E. end the main rampart is higher than elsewhere, and has an outer ditch and counterscarp bank. The entrance ways are again staggered, and in the outer rampart, inturned. "On the S. side of the hillfort an extensive landslip carried away the whole of the defences on the middle of this face; this was remedied by digging a wide trench in the E. part of the fallen material, and, reinstating the outer ditch and bank below it." This part of the earthwork does not connect with the earlier defences. A further bank thrown up at the foot of the hill covers roughly the lateral extent of the landslip. Through this bank the diagonal approach to the S.E. entrance turns outwards and southwards. There is no visible evidence that the multiple defences were preceded by a simpler system. Apart from the rebuilding of the S. side, evidence of a structural sequence has been noted at the N.W. end, where the alteration of the position of the outer entrance coincided with the addition of an outer enclosure.

Within the hillfort are 2 large mounds, probably barrows and a number of small irregular mounds. There are traces of banks, perhaps of enclosures, and many hollows, 4 to 5 yds in diameter. In 1900 five of these hollows were excavated, and found to be pits from 5ft. 6ins to 6ft. 8ins deep. In them were found a flint knife, saw, scrapers and numerous flakes. The octagonal enclosure bank within the hillfort is the boundary of a former coppice planted to serve as a sea-work. <8>

A sherd and a rock hone from Eggardon, presented by Mr W. Butcher, Higher Sturthill, Shipton Gorge. Acc. No. 1954.29. <9>

In an early excavation of one of the hut circles a broken quern was found by Mr Prideaux. <6>

Eggardun has at least yielded apparent IA 'A' material, though complex defences suggest a sequence of occupations and plans. Its excavators considered it Ne. but this was before the recognition of true Ne. features in either earthwork or pottery. Its pit dwellings are I.A 'A' and the associated flint industry occurs elsewhere in I.A. settlements, though the variations of its prevalance have yet to be explained. Invaders from the W - I.A. 'B' - perhaps remodelled the hillfort. <7>

This hillfort is well described in TA (4) and depicted in the photo-plan. The O.S. 1/2500 is generally correct; a minor scarp shown on the photo-plan on the S. part of the ramparts (lettered A-B on sheet) appears to be caused by natural soil-creep. The condition of the hillfort is good, with strong multiple banks and ditches and staggered entrances. The area enclosed by the ramparts is ploughed in the N. half, but the S. half is under pasture. Scores of surface depressions (from T4, IA 'A' pits) are visible over the surface; these are 3.0m. To 5.0m. In diameter and 0.2 to 0.5m. Deep, though less definite where ploughed. No surface finds were made during field investigation. See Aps. ST J/AX 87-9; BZ/63-5. <10>

(A plentiful water supply is available in close proximity to this feature). <11>

The Butcher collection includes several sling stones and some pottery from ploughing 50 yards NW of the rampart (SY 539950). The pottery appears to be Iron Age "A" in character. <12>

From aerial photographs, it appears that the outer rampart on the NE side of the fort was either left incomplete, or slighted after construction. <13>

Sling-stone and part of a rotary quern found at the Western approach to the fort. <14>

The site was excavated between 1963 and 1966 by G. Rybot. The linear banks are thought to pre-date the middle-late Iron Age. Excavated pits contained middle-late Iron Age pottery. <15>

Supplementary notes, plan correspondence and photographs. <16>

Sling-stone and part of a rotary quern found at the Western approach to the fort. <14>


Earthwork remains of a multivallate hillfort of Iron Age date on Eggardon Hill. The site is visible on aerial photographs. <8-10>

Stewart, D, 2013, Eggardon hillfort. A geophysical survey (Unpublished document). SDO21392.

<1> Warne, C, 1872, Ancient Dorset (2nd Edition), 58-9 (Monograph). SWX1971.

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1877, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club, 45 (Serial). SDO2.

<3> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1902, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club for 1901, xxiv (Serial). SDO15.

<4> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1903 (Map). SWX1540.

CAMP [OE]

<5> Allcroft, A, 1908, Earthworks of England. Prehistoric Roman, Saxon, Danish, Norman, and Mediaeval, 104-5 (Monograph). SDO17956.

<6> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1922, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1921, xxxii (Serial). SDO20486.

<7> Anon, 1931, Antiquity 5, 60-97 (Serial). SWX3552.

<8> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 13-15 (Monograph). SDO97.

‘(12) EGGARDON CAMP, hill-fort (Plate 71), partly in Powerstock parish, occupies the summit of a hill 800 ft. high, 1½ m. N.E. of the church. The area is over 20 acres, or nearly 36 acres including the defences but excluding the outwork on the S.W.
The hill-fort has a comparatively level enclosure but the ground falls rapidly on the N.E., S., S.W. and W., though to the E. and N.W. it is nearly level. The defences, except on the E. and N.W., consist of three ramparts with two medial ditches; on the W., N.E. and E. sides there is an open area of varying width between the two outer lines. At the N.W. and E. ends, where the ground is practically level and the two entrances to the camp are situated, a different treatment is adopted. The former has an additional outer line of rampart, ditch and counterscarp bank, across the back of the ridge and merging into the main outer line of defence. As will be seen from the plan the entrances through these ramparts are so arranged as to traverse the defences diagonally. There are two entrances through the middle rampart; the central entrance has an inturn on the N. side but the ditch has been cut through in front of it, probably when the second entrance to the N. was formed. This entrance is approached by a sunk track along the edge of the ridge to the N.W. The outermost line is stopped short of this approach and is therefore presumably an addition to the plan, contemporary with the building or extension of the outermost rampart on both sides of the ridge.
At the E. end, the main rampart is higher than elsewhere and has an outer ditch and a slight counterscarp bank. The entrance through the outer line is in the S.E. angle and is flanked by inturned ramparts. Here also the entrances are made to traverse the defences diagonally, additional strength being obtained by the formation of two ramparts with a medial ditch across the enclosure between the two systems. The outer entrance was approached both from the ridge and also by a diagonal track up the S. escarpment of the hill; where this track approaches the entrance it is screened by a short length of outer bank and ditch. On the S. side of the fort an extensive landslip carried away the whole of the defences on the middle of this face; this was remedied by digging a wide ditch in the eastern part of the fallen material and reinstating the outer ditch and bank below it. Neither of these works, however, being at a lower level, make connection to the earlier defences. As part of the same work a further bank was thrown up at the foot of the hill and covering roughly the same lateral extent as the landslip. Through this bank the diagonal approach to the S.E. entrance turns outwards and southwards.
Although no reconstruction of the history of the site is possible without further excavation, evidence of a structural sequence has been noted both at the N.W. end and on the S. side. In the case of the former, the alteration of the position of the outer entrance coincided with the addition of an outer enclosure. On the S. side, the rebuilding of much of the outer defences, due to the landslip, doubtless explains the presence of the unusual outer line of considerable strength in the valley below it. There is no visible evidence that the multiple defences were preceded by a simpler system.
Within the enclosure are two large mounds, probably barrows, that marked “A” on plan having a diameter of 42 ft. and a height of about 2 ft.; while mound “B” has a diameter of about 42 ft. and a height of 4½ ft. Both have been considerably damaged. There are also a number of small somewhat irregular mounds. Their dimensions are as follows: - (1) disturbed in centre, diam. 23 ft., height 9 in. (2) irregular oval 6 ft. by 5 ft., 6 in. high, possibly natural. (3) oval, diams. 6 ft. by 5½ ft., height about 8 in. (4) roughly circular, 12 ft. diam., height about 9 in. (5) roughly circular, 10½ ft. diam., height about 9 in. (6) rectangular, 19½ ft. by 9 ft., height about 9 in. (7) rectangular, 45 ft. by 9 ft. and 1 ft. high, possibly a portion of a bank. There are also, where shown on plan, traces of banks, perhaps of former enclosures, but they are now somewhat fragmentary and it is impossible to say whether they are original. It is perhaps significant that, as far as can now be seen these banks do not appear to impinge on any trace of a pit.
The small octagonal enclosure, surrounded by a slight bank, some 50 yards from the S.W. rampart, is modern. It represents the site of a former coppice planted to serve as a sea-mark.
The whole floor of the main enclosure is pitted with shallow cup-like hollows in the turf about 4 to 5 yards in diam. Generally speaking, there is no trace of their having been arranged on any direct system beyond the fact that they appear to have been kept clear of the central trackway joining the two entrances. This observation must, however, be qualified by the fact that a modern trackway runs on this line.
During 1900 five of these hollows were excavated (Dr. Colley March, Proc. Soc. Ant., XVIII, p. 258). There were pits varying in depth from 5 ft. 6 in. to 6 ft. 8 in. In them were found: a flint knife, flint saw, scrapers and numerous flakes, etc.
The ridge on which the camp stands narrows, until it ceases in a rapid fall about 600 yards N.W. of the camp. On the top of the ridge about ¼ mile from the outermost rampart of the camp and a few yards N.W. of the O.S. Trig. Point is a slight sinking of about 5 yards diam. and 2½ ft. deep with slight encircling bank. About 20 yards W. of this is a rough transverse ditch across the top of the ridge which here is only about 23 yards in width, with an internal and external bank.’

<9> Dorset County Museum, Dorset County Museum Accessions Book (Unpublished document). SWX1315.

<10> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 23-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<11> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Unpublished revision RCHME Dorset I (West) Undated (West Compton file) (Unpublished document). SDO19799.

<12> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1956, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1954, 89 (Serial). SDO54.

‘Eggardon Camp, Askerswell/Powerstock. Mr. Butcher's collection includes several slingstones and some pottery from ploughing about 50 yards N.W. of the ramparts of the Early Iron Age camp [Footnote: Ibid., pp. 13-15]; SY(30)/539950. The pottery is fragmentary, but, besides sherds of coarse sandy ware which need not be pre-Roman, there are two hand-made rims from jars with thickened lips, one neckless, the other with short upright neck. These would seem to be of Iron Age 'A' character, notably the necked jar which has oblique finger-nail imprints on the rim giving the impression of a corded pattern. A coarse ware sherd and a pebble polished by use as a burnisher, from Eggardon, have been given to the Museum by Mr. Butcher (1954.29.5-6).’

<13> 1965, Antiquity 39, 223 (Serial). SDO20487.

<14> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1974, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1973, 102 (Serial). SDO73.

‘Some Finds at Eggardon Hill-Fort, Askerswell. Mr J. E. Hancock of Bristol has informed me that during a recent visit to Eggardon, in connection with one of his archaeological reconnaissance flights, he noticed many 'Chesil Beach' sling-stones, and part of a rotary quern, as a result of ploughing at the western approach to the hill-fort, between and up to the base of the ramparts and through the entrance.’

<15> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1980, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1978, 54-72 (Serial). SDO78.

<16> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Unpublished revision RCHME Dorset I (West) Undated (Askerswell file) (Unpublished document). SDO19798.

<17> Parkes, Adrian and Kathy, 2008, Land Use and Historical Ownership of NT Property at Eggardon Hill and Adjacent Area (Monograph). SDO17020.

<18> Lock, G, and Ralston, I, 2017, Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland [ONLINE], EN3592 (Digital archive). SDO17130.

<19> 24-SEP-2003, NMR SY 5494/84-87 (23294/06-09) (Aerial Photograph). SDO11414.

<20> 16-MAR-1972, NMR SY 5494/12-13 (387/418-428) (Aerial Photograph). SDO11413.

<21> Royal Air Force, 22-JAN-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 4153-4 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11409.

<22> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/088 RCHME Inventory: Dorset I (West) and Revision (Unpublished document). SDO17367.

<23> Historic England, Historic England Archive (Index). SDO14738.

Object Number
Object Title
Scope And Content
881672 RCHME: Eggardon Camp, Askerswell, Dorset
881697 RCHME: Internal features in Eggardon Camp, Askerswell, Dorset. With 1 annotated copy and 1 pencil on film detail
881709 RCHME: Internal details of Eggardon Camp, Askerswell, Dorset
1 copy on paper, 1 detail pencil on film
881764 RCHME: Eggardon Camp, Askerswell, Dorset. Ink
AA71/03972 FEATURE 79. HUT CIRCLE FROM SOUTH
AA71/03973 FEATURE 79. HUT CIRCLE FROM SOUTH
AA71/03974 TRENCH JOINING TWO PITS IN CLAY WITH FLINTS
AA71/03975 SECTION OF RECTILINEAR FIELD BANK
AA71/03985 VIEW ALONG DITCH BETWEEN BANKS
AA71/03986 VIEW FROM RAMPARTS
AA71/03987 VIEW FROM RAMPARTS
AA71/06864 DISTANT VIEW FROM SOUTH EAST
AA71/06867 VIEW OF OUTER BANK
AA71/06868 VIEW OF RAMPARTS
AA71/06869 VIEW OF RAMPARTS
AA71/06870 VIEW OF ONE OF THE ENTRANCES
AA71/06872 VIEW FROM SOUTH-EAST
AA71/06873 VIEW OF RAMPARTS
AA71/06874VIEW OF RAMPARTS FROM SOUTH-EAST
AA71/06875 EAST ENTRANCE FROM WITHIN
AA71/06876 VIEW OF RAMPARTS
AA71/06877 VIEW OF BANK
DD73/00181PLAN OF IA HILLFORT. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00182 PLAN OF IA HILLFORT. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00183 SECTIONS I AND II. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00184 SECTIONS III AND IV. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00185 SECTIONS VI, VII, VIII AND IX. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00186 SECTIONS XIA AND XIB. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00187 SECTION XII. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00188 SECTION XVI AND X. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00189 PLAN C AND SECTION XVII. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00190 MOUND 126 - SECTION XV. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00191 SECTION V ACROSS CENTRE OF MOUND 72. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00192 BARROW B - SECTIONS XIII AND XIV AND PLAN. Donor: UNKNOWN
DD73/00193 FEATURE 79 - PLAN A. Donor: UNKNOWN

<24> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451411 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 7 2025 12:16PM