Wiltshire Archaeol Natur Hist Mag 92

Reports on work carried out in 1996, which confirmed earlier evidence for a focus of activity on the first and second centuries AD. Two ring-ditches, two linear features and seven pits dated, by flint association, to between the Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age were also investigated. The flint is discussed under the heading `Worked flint' by W A Boismier (20 & 21). Other specialist contributions on artefacts dated to the Romano-British period are: `Coin' by Nicholas A Wells (18 & 20) which concerns a copper-alloy find, probably of late third-century date; `Metalwork' by Andrew Hutcheson (20); `Pottery' and `Other artefacts' both by Lorraine Mepham (21--4); `Animal bone' by Sheila Hamilton-Dyer (25--7); `Charred plant remains' by Pat Hinton (27--8 & 29); and `Other environmental material' by Michael J Allen (28 & 30). The author writes on `Human bone' (24--5).

Reports on work at the site which has identified two phases of a glacis type defence, one dating to c. 500 BC and the other to c. 400 BC. The fort appears to have been abandoned after the Iron Age although there is evidence of Roman activity, particularly in the form of a flint path which runs parallel to the rampart. There are specialist contributions on: `Prehistoric pottery' by Ann Woodward (43--7), most of which is Iron Age although a small percentage is of Neolithic and Bronze Age type; `Roman and later pottery' by Lorraine Mepham (47--8); and `Molluscs' by Michael J Allen (48--50) .

An introduction by R J Ivens (60--1) is a preliminary to the previously unpublished report based on work carried out in the 1930s. The report is largely descriptive although there are discussions on the manor and its church, economy and social structure and the medieval barber-surgeon and stone-burials.

Discusses the discovery of an individual with a major sword wound to the head in a large round barrow, during excavations in 1964. Considers that it may be a secondary burial and that it could belong to the Iron Age or even Anglo-Saxon period. Further examination of the wound to determine what actually caused it is impossible as the skull is now missing.

Compares the artefact with similar finds from elsewhere and notes its particular affinity with quoit brooches. Considers the decoration, which depicts two creatures -- one possibly a bird, the other undefined -- and whether it has Christian connotations or not.

Discusses the original commission of the brass ornaments on behalf of the church of St Mary and the Virgin and notes details in the lives of the Arts and Crafts silversmiths who designed them.