Hillfort gate-mechanisms: a contextual, architectural reassessment of Eddisbury, Hembury, and Cadbury hillforts. Issue 2 (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pope, Rachel; Mason, Richard; Hamilton, Derek; Rule, Eddie; Swogger, John
• Is Part Of: Archaeological journal. Volume 177:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 339
• Page End: 407
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: Archaeology -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Great Britain -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; Great Britain -- History -- To 1485 -- Periodicals; Europe -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; 913.42
• DOI: 10.1080/00665983.2019.1711301
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0066-5983

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper offers a typology of hillfort gate-mechanisms, and a developed understanding of temporal depth in hillfort architecture – via applied contextual analysis. Rediscovery of the Eddisbury hillfort archive revealed three iron gate-mechanisms. To situate these rare objects, detailed analyses of entrance architecture and stratigraphy was conducted – for Eddisbury and parallels (Hembury, South Cadbury) – enabling new sequences, resolution of the Mid-Late Cadbury sequence, and reconstruction of the Cadbury gate-fittings. Crucially, Bayesian analysis of C-14 dates from Eddisbury confirm a 400 BC date for developed hillforts . Eddisbury's gate-mechanisms are revealed as the earliest in Europe, with Roman adoption of Iron Age technology.