See PRN 55105 for overall entry. {1}
The site is a classic contour hillfort with 4 ramparts on the NW and S sides. Only 2 survive on the E, the others may have slipped down slope. Entrances at the SW, NE and E, the latter either later or un- finished. The interior is dominated by a summit plateau on its W side, with steep slopes down on its W and S. Excavations were undertaken by Bennett in 1890 and Gray in 1913 and a major campaign in 1966-70 when 6% of the 7.28 ha site was sampled (PRN22948). An extended Iron Age occupation sequence was revealed in 1966-70. {2}
An undefended initial IA phase (Cadbury 5) was succeeded by Cadbury 6, enclosed by a timber-laced clay and rubble rampart (A). Rampart B, a stone bank revetted with timber and Lias walling, defended Cadbury 7. Rampart C, much less well preserved, is associated with Cadbury 8. Cadbury 9A, marking the appearance of Durotrigian material, overlies rampart C. 9B lies on the tail of rampart D1 and incorporated into D2. The final Iron Age phase, Cadbury 9C, is assoc- iated with the final refurbishing of the rampart D3 in c60 AD. This sequence is based on detailed analysis of rampart sections. {16}
References:
| 1 |
Compiler comment - Chris Webster, Somerset Historic Environment Record (31/8/2007) |
| 2 |
Description - Alcock L 'By South Cadbury is that Camelot..' (l972) |
| 3 |
Excavation report - Alcock L '... excavation at South Cadbury Castle, Somerset, 1966' Antiquaries Journal 47 (1967), 70-76 |
| 4 |
Excavation report - Bennett J A 'Camelot' Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society 36(2) (1890) 1-19 |
| 5 |
Excavation report - Gray H St G 'Trial excavations at Cadbury Castle...'Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society 59(2) (1913), 1-24 |
| 6 |
Excavation report - Alcock L '... Excavation at South Cadbury Castle, Somerset, 1966' Antiquaries Journal 47 (1967), 70-76 |
| 7 |
Excavation report - Alcock L 'By South Cadbury is that Camelot' Antiquity vol 41 (1967), 50-53 |
| 8 |
Excavation report - Alcock L 'Excavations at S Cadbury Castle l967' Antiquaries Journal 48 (1968), 6-17 |
| 9 |
Excavation report - Alcock L 'Cadbury Castle 1967' Antiquity 42 (1968) 47-51 |
| 10 |
Excavation report - Alcock L 'Excavations at S Cadbury Castle 1968' Antiquaries Journal 49 (1969), 30-40 |
| 11 |
Excavation report - Alcock L 'South Cadbury ecavations l968' Antiquity 43 (1969), 52-56 |
| 12 |
Excavation report - Alcock L 'Excavations at S Cadbury Castle l969' Antiquaries Journal 50 (1970), 14-25 |
| 13 |
Excavation report - Alcock L 'S Cadbury excavations 1969' Antiquity 44 (1970), 46-49 |
| 14 |
Excavation report - Alcock L 'Excavations at S Cadbury Castle 1970' Antiquaries Journal 51 (1971), 1-7 |
| 15 |
Excavation report - Alcock L 'Excavations at Cadbury-Camelot 1966-70' Antiquity 46(1972), 29-38 |
| 16 |
Description - Alcock L 'The Cadbury Castle sequence in the first millenium BC' BBCS 28:4 (1980), 656-718 |
Data kindly supplied by the Somerset Historic Environment Record.
Record created on 06 December 2001
© Copyright Somerset County Council 2007 |
