| Title: |
Shoulthwaite Hillfort, Thirlmere, Cumbria. Stratigraphic Survey Report |
| Number of Pages: |
22 |
| Biblio Note |
Please note that this is a bibliographic record only, as originally entered into the BIAB database.
The ADS have no files for download, and unfortunately cannot advise further on where to access hard copy or digital versions.
|
| Publication Type: |
Report
|
| Abstract: |
A detailed survey of Shoulthwaite Hillfort was undertaken in 1998 as part of a wider survey of the Thirlmere Estate. The monument was a promontry fort with substantial multivallate defences on the eastern side. The western side relied solely on its natural defences. External defences immediately to the south of the entrance were seemingly non-existent, the area presently being occupied by a substantial mire. It was believed that the mire had obscured earthwork evidence of further ramparts. In the light of this survey, it was recommended that a stratigraphic survey should be undertaken through the area of mire in order to investigate the possibility of buried ramparts and to assess the potential for further environmental investigation. A series of core transects were taken with a gouge auger across the mire, which recorded the depth of the predominantly humified material. A core was also taken with a Russian auger to examine the pollen content, and to provide samples for radiocarbon dating. The transect profile across the mire was steep edged but essentially flat-bottomed, in contrast with the adjacent V-shaped rampart ditches to the south. Evidence suggested that the linear hollow had been water-filled from the outset, and that it may have served as a moat, unlike the dry rampart ditches. Two radiocarbon samples, taken from near the base of the mire, produced dates of cal AD 538-676 and cal AD 560-690. These indicated a post-Roman filling of the basin. However, it was not pssible to determine whether this had been the primary cut of the basin or a re-cut of an earlier, perhaps Iron Age, defensive feature. [Au(abr)] |
| Author: |
Elizabeth Huckerby
|
| Publisher: |
Lancaster University Archaeological Unit
|
| Year of Publication: |
1999
|
| Subjects / Periods: |
| Ad 538676 (Auto Detected Temporal) |
|
IRON AGE
(Historic England Periods)
|
|
|
| Note: |
Date Of Issue From:
1999
Date Of Coverage From:
01
Date Of Coverage To:
01
Editorial Expansion:
Site name: SHOULTHWAITE HILLFORT, THIRLMERE
Study area:
Investigation type: Post-determination/Research
District: Allerdale
Monument: HILLFORT. Undated, [artificially cut basin/hollow]. Undated
Ngr: NY29981884
Parish: St John's Castlerigg and Wythburn
Postcode: CA124TG
|
| Source: |
BIAB
(Archaeological Investigations Project (AIP))
|
| Created Date: |
19 Jan 2009 |
