SDO15407 - Maiden Castle, Dorchester, Dorset. Archaeological Monitoring and Recording Report.

‘Context One Heritage and Archaeology Ltd (C1) carried out archaeological monitoring and recording during the replacement and repair of a gate post and fencing in the western entrance of Maiden Castle, Dorset (the ‘Site’). The project was commissioned by English Heritage. The works were required as a condition of Scheduled Monument consent for the works. This involved the excavation of a modern post-hole associated with the timber fencing and gates across the gateway at the inner western hillfort entrance, to facilitate the insertion of a replacement gate post. Desk-based research had indicated that this area had not previously been subject to archaeological investigation. In the event, no archaeological features, deposits or artefacts were observed. There is no evidence that archaeological deposits associated with the original gateway of the Iron Age hillfort are preserved in this location. Neither was there any evidence for the edge of the rampart bank to the south, extending to this point. It is likely that archaeological deposits have been removed in this area by past erosion.’