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durotrigesdig.bsky.social
Durotriges Dig
@durotrigesdig.bsky.social
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Investigating the Iron Age and Roman period in SW Britain. Bournemouth University #HillfortsWednesday Posts (mostly) by Miles Russell
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durotrigesdig.bsky.social
Durotriges Dig @durotrigesdig.bsky.social · Nov 16
Hello, we're the Durotriges Project 👋

If you're here for updates on prehistoric Dorset, archaeology info or just to look at pictures of Iron Age / Roman artefacts, we hope you'll find something of interest

#Durotriges25

⚠️ warning: may contain random references to #DoctorWho and #HypocaustGate
A complete Late Iron Age Black Burnished Ware pot from the #Durotriges24 excavation
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
durotrigesdig.bsky.social
A magnetometry survey of Abbotsbury Castle hillfort #Dorset has shown that there are, in the SE corner of the enclosure, a series of Iron Age roundhouse platforms with collapsed daub walls, postholes and storage pits 🤩

11 have so far been identified

© Dave Stewart 2014

#HillfortsWednesday
A grey scale geophysical survey plot of the interior to an Iron Age hillfort with red lines indicating the outer rampart circuit
February 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
hedleythorne.bsky.social
Oliver's Castle, Roundway Down
February 8, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
tracelarkhall.bsky.social
One of the best views in the country. Glorious Dorset 🥰
durotrigesdig.bsky.social Durotriges Dig @durotrigesdig.bsky.social · 12h
Some Iron Age ramparty goodness from Abbotsbury Castle hillfort, high above the villages of West #Dorset

Here looking NW along the coast to West Bay and Bridport and SW along Chesil Beach to Weymouth and Portland

We love it here

📷 Feb 2023

Happy #HillfortsWednesday !
The grass covered ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort looking out at the sea and sky The grass covered ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort looking out at the sea and sky
February 11, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
boothicus.bsky.social
Some pretty rich bioarchaeological pickings here on A Massacre at an Iron Age Hillfort.

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Worlebury Hillfort, Somerset: Interdisciplinary Reanalysis of an Iron Age Massacre | Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society | Cambridge Core
Worlebury Hillfort, Somerset: Interdisciplinary Reanalysis of an Iron Age Massacre
www.cambridge.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
boothicus.bsky.social
Ingleborough not a hillfort!

The Iron Age stans will be reeling!

Neolithic and Bronze Age bods sit in quiet triumph.
alexharvv.bsky.social Alex Harvey @alexharvv.bsky.social · 14h
Thought I'd throw my hat into the cairn-ring of #HillfortsWednesday

But paradoxically, I want to talk about Ingleborough, a large hill (732m) in the Yorkshire Dales that, while often believed to be a hillfort, actually isn't!
Ingleborough. Image credit: Andrew Forrest 2024 Ingleborough in the snow. Image credit: Grzegorz Gniady 2017
February 11, 2026 at 9:47 AM
durotrigesdig.bsky.social
#HillfortsWednesday 👇👇
irenep.bsky.social Irene M. Petschko @irenep.bsky.social · 6h
On this #hillfortwednesday a book recommendation: The rampart of Stillfried (Austria). Hellerschmid and Griebl describe the features of the three Urnfield Culture phases and suggest the use of fire to strengthen the timber elements.
austriaca.at/9206-0inhalt
@fwf-at.bsky.social @oeai.bsky.social
Photo of the Stillfried rampart Section Trench I/1969: View from the west towards the southern profile of the first wall section under the direction of Felgenhauer in 1969 (SP I 69) and the former settlement area in the background. In the foreground are the remains of the older wood-earth box V1267/V1167, which runs from north to south. It consists of round and square timbers, mostly oak. Towards the settlement (to the east), a few beams from the younger wood-earth box V1154/V1268 were also uncovered immediately adjacent. The former rampart is now covered by 1–2.5 m thick fill from later periods of use. Foto of a feature of the Stillfried rampart: Close-up of the older wood-earth box V1267/V1167 in the western part of the Planum, view to the west. In the centre of the image are mostly un-debarked, superficially charred (oak) logs in the direction of the rampart. They come from the lowest box filling. The charred branches between the beams are clearly visible and most likely served as intentional fire preservation
February 11, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
durotrigesdig.bsky.social
Abbotsbury Castle is a roughly triangular multivallate Iron Age hillfort encircling 1.8ha of a limestone outcrop overlooking the Jurassic Coast betwixt Bridport and Weymouth in Dorset

We love it 😍

Here looking NE dominating the B3157 coast road

📷 © Jo and Sue Crane 2016

#HillfortsWednesday
A grass covered ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort with a road bottom right and trees behind
February 11, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
neu-kelte.bsky.social
#HillfortsWednesday #Celtic: Excavations at Tre'r Ceiri have produced finds mainly of Roman pottery, showing that they traded with the Romans. During the final period of occupation the fort may have been used as a refuge, not from the Romans but from Irish raiders.
Tre'r Ceiri, photocredit 1. Neu-Kelte Tre'r Ceiri, photocredit 1. Neu-Kelte Tre'r Ceiri, photocredit 1. Neu-Kelte Tre'r Ceiri, photocredit 1. Neu-Kelte
February 11, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
archaeostef.bsky.social
Sneaking Rispain Camp in for #HillfortsWednesday as it is not listed on the Atlas, and we define it as a settlement - but the ditches are absolutely MASSIVE

First thought to be a Roman site, then medieval it was revealed as Iron Age following excavation in the 1970s

Photos from my visit yesterday
An interpretation panel in front of the entrance to Rispain Camp Panoramic image from the southern corner
February 11, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
nybjorn.bsky.social
The Viking-period hillfort Borg on Björkö/Birka in the 1890’s, captured by the legendary Swedish field archaeologist and later Professor in ethnography Hjalmar Stolpe (using wife and daughter as scale bars…)

#HillfortsWednesday
The hillfort Borg on Björkö in Lake Mälaren, Sweden. View from northeast across the fields which holds the remains of the Viking-period emporium Birka. Photo: Hjalmar Stolpe, 1890’s. (His wife Emmy is standing to the left by the fence) The hillfort Borg on Björkö in Lake Mälaren, Sweden. View from north towards the main gate. Inside, on top of the cliff is the 19th century monumental S:t Ansgar’s cross. Photo: Hjalmar Stolpe, 1890’s. (His daughter Estrid is standing in the gate) The hillfort Borg on Björkö in Lake Mälaren, Sweden. View from south west, below the cliff. The S:t Ansgar’s monument is visible on top of the cliff to the top right. Photo: Hjalmar Stolpe, 1890’s. (His wife and daughter can be seen to the left in the photo)
February 11, 2026 at 1:56 PM
durotrigesdig.bsky.social
A magnetometry survey of Abbotsbury Castle hillfort #Dorset has shown that there are, in the SE corner of the enclosure, a series of Iron Age roundhouse platforms with collapsed daub walls, postholes and storage pits 🤩

11 have so far been identified

© Dave Stewart 2014

#HillfortsWednesday
A grey scale geophysical survey plot of the interior to an Iron Age hillfort with red lines indicating the outer rampart circuit
February 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
archaeohawke.bsky.social
#HillfortsWednesday

Pen-y-crug is a large, oval, multivallate #hillfort which encloses the summit of a prominent, isolated hill about 2km north-west of the confluence of the rivers Usk and Honddu at #Brecon #Wales

📸 @drtobydriver.bsky.social
#Archaeology #History #Cymru
February 11, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
neu-kelte.bsky.social
#HillfortsWednesday #Celtic: Tre'r Ceiri was probably constructed in the late #IronAge and remained in use until the 4th century AD. The earliest defences enclosed an Early Bronze Age (2000-1100 BC) burial cairn on the summit and may have housed 100 people living in about 20 houses.
1/2
Tre'r Ceiri, photocredit 1. Neu-Kelte Tre'r Ceiri, photocredit 1. Neu-Kelte Tre'r Ceiri, photocredit 1. Neu-Kelte Tre'r Ceiri, photocredit 1. Neu-Kelte
February 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
druidtombraider.bsky.social
Caer Bach - a Celtic hillfort of indeterminate age, on a rounded hillock situated near the village of Rowen; in Conwy County, Wales; courtesy of Llywelyn2000. #Cymru #HillfortsWednesday
February 11, 2026 at 11:29 AM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
classicalalan.bsky.social
How exciting - I have always wanted to see these altars, the one featuring Sol is particularly amazing!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Ancient Roman altars to go on display in Edinburgh
Two Mithraic Roman altars are to be displayed as a part of an upcoming exhibition after being acquired for the nation.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
jessstilllife.bsky.social
#HillfortsWednesday Darnit
jessstilllife.bsky.social jessstilllife.bsky.social @jessstilllife.bsky.social · 14h
The iconic Brentor on the western edge of Dartmoor. Iron Age ramparts exist but the hillfort my never have been fully completed. The medieval church was begun in the C12th.
#HillfortWednesday
#Dartmoor
February 11, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
neu-kelte.bsky.social
#HillfortsWednesday #Celtic: Tre'r Ceiri is one of the most and best preserved #IronAge hillforts in Britain. The impressive dry-stone ramparts that enclose it survive to near their full height of 3.5 metres in many places. The 2.5 hectare fort contains the remains of over 150 huts.
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Tre'r Ceiri; photo credit 1. Neu-Kelte Tre'r Ceiri; photo credit 1. Neu-Kelte Tre'r Ceiri; photo credit 1. Neu-Kelte Gold plated bronze brooch from Tre'r Ceiri, photocredit 1. Neu-Kelte
February 11, 2026 at 9:59 AM
durotrigesdig.bsky.social
We have so many questions
romanpalace.bsky.social Fishbourne Roman Palace @romanpalace.bsky.social · 14h
We sent #CuratorRob to a professional Networking event at the Novium Museum, Chichester, yesterday and he represented the Palace by wearing a prawn hat. 🤦
The head and shoulders of a buffoon against a blue background. The buffoon has a ludicrous beard, and is wearing a tall orange hat with small black eyes on the top that resembles a prawn.
February 11, 2026 at 10:51 AM
durotrigesdig.bsky.social
Some Iron Age ramparty goodness from Abbotsbury Castle hillfort, high above the villages of West #Dorset

Here looking NW along the coast to West Bay and Bridport and SW along Chesil Beach to Weymouth and Portland

We love it here

📷 Feb 2023

Happy #HillfortsWednesday !
The grass covered ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort looking out at the sea and sky The grass covered ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort looking out at the sea and sky
February 11, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
reblambert.bsky.social
One for @durotrigesdig.bsky.social
Badbury Rings
Paul Nash, 1943
#HillfortsWednesday 🙂
February 11, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
alexharvv.bsky.social
And to do a bit of shameless self-promo, I talk all about Ingleborough (and how it is more interesting than a hillfort) in my new book: LITTLE KINGDOMS: AN A-Z OF EARLY MEDIEVAL BRITAIN

www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Little-Kingd...

It forms the centre of the chapter on 'Dunutinga'
Little Kingdoms
Before England, Wales, and Scotland were created, before Alfred the Great and the Great Viking Army, before even a raid on Lindisfarne, the kingdoms that…
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
alexharvv.bsky.social
Some reading:

etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/12... Walker's smashing 2022 thesis on post-Roman Cumbria

Johnson's Ingleborough: Landscape & History (2008) is a superb read too, as are his other works: New Light on the Dark Ages in North Craven (2019) and associated IAG research papers
David Johnson's Ingleborough book
February 11, 2026 at 8:00 AM
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alexharvv.bsky.social
So if it isn't a hillfort, what exactly is Ingleborough?

Thanks to the great work of David Johnson, Yvonne Luke, and the researchers at IAG www.ingleborougharchaeologygroup.org, we know it to be an important, multi-period site, with evidence from the Neolithic to the post-Roman period
Ingleborough Archaeology Group | archaeology
The Ingleborough Archaeology Group exists to further research and understanding of our historic heritage through archival research and archaeological investigation
www.ingleborougharchaeologygroup.org
February 11, 2026 at 7:49 AM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
alexharvv.bsky.social
Well situated and tall, offering a strategic position, it's no wonder that folk have believed Ingleborough to be a hillfort. It's even really flat on top and has a number of streams and links to springs along the slopes

The latest edition of a Shire Archaeology book even lists it as a hillfort!
Hillforts of England and Wales by James Dyer
February 11, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Reposted by Durotriges Dig
stelingard.bsky.social
#HillfortsWednesday & #ReliefWednesday, rolled into one, with this neat interpretation panel at Bury Ditches. Though parts of the site are plain to the eye, it can be difficult to picture the whole, given the scrub and surrounding plantation. This really helps. #Shropshire
📷 My own, from 2020
An interpretation panel in a field. To the left is a relief depicting the contours of a hillfort. To the right there is a section headed 'Welcome to Bury Ditches Iron Age Hill Fort', above a map, some very small text about the history of the site, and drawings of a child from the time it was occupied and a torc. A close up of a relief depiction of Bury Ditches hillfort, roughly oval in shape and with an entrance running through a series of three banks and ditches in the bottom right corner.
February 11, 2026 at 8:10 AM