Bodbury Ring Hillfort Six Times Larger Than Thought

A remarkable discovery at Shropshire’s Bodbury Ring Hillfort has shed new light on the region’s Iron Age history. Archaeologists from Channel Four’s Time Team, alongside experts from the Universities of Chester and York, have revealed the settlement was far more substantial than previously known.

Expanding Horizons with LIDAR Technology

Thanks to the Our Upland Commons project, cutting-edge light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology has enabled researchers to map Bodbury Ring Hillfort with unprecedented precision, reports the University of Chester team.

Mounted on aircraft, LiDAR sensors have produced high-resolution laser-scan data revealing that the hillfort, located on the north side of the Carding Mill Valley near Church Stretton, is six times larger than previously thought.

This breakthrough was spearheaded by Time Team’s landscape archaeologist and University of Chester Visiting Professor, Stewart Ainsworth, in collaboration with the Universities of Chester and York, and Stepping Stones, a National Trust-led conservation initiative.

Professor Ainsworth’s analysis indicates that the earthworks of Bodbury Ring form only a small part of a much larger fortification, encompassing the entire ridgetop of Bodbury Hill. He explained:

“The earthworks of Bodbury Ring were constructed to form a small, more easily defended fort at the southern tip of the original hillfort, possibly in the Middle Iron Age. This prehistoric ‘downsizing’ may have resulted from increased tension in the region, reflecting possible changes in the geopolitical landscape of the times. Close by, on the northern side of Bodbury Hill, the remains of a probable Roman Iron Age enclosed settlement have also been identified for the first time.”

 

 

 

Illustration of how the larger Iron Age settlement at Bodbury Hill might have looked. (University of Chester)

Uncovering the Past Without Disturbance

Janine Young, a National Trust Archaeologist, highlighted the significance of the new remote-sensing data, stating:

“The new remote-sensing information provides a powerful portal for digital exploration of the Long Mynd. Using just a small sample area for research, we have broken new ground in understanding the Iron Age in this region – without disturbing a single turf in the ground.”

The LiDAR data has not only unveiled the true scale of Bodbury Ring but also hinted at the reasons behind its construction. According to Professor Ainsworth, the smaller, more easily defended earthworks of Bodbury Ring may have been built in the Middle Iron Age, possibly as a response to increased regional tensions and changes in the geopolitical landscape.

The Burway and Bodbury Hill (left) at Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd, Shropshire. (© National Trust Images/PJ Howsam)

Roman Influence in the Iron Age

Further exploration of the area has led to the identification of a probable Roman Iron Age enclosed settlement on the northern side of Bodbury Hill. This discovery, made for the first time through this project, adds another layer to the rich historical tapestry of the region.

Professor Ainsworth, renowned for his role as a landscape archaeologist with Time Team and as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, emphasized the significance of these findings. He is also a Visiting Professor of Landscape Archaeology in the History and Archaeology team at the University of Chester.

Repairing erosion damage on Bodbury Ring. (© Patrick Edwards/National Trust)

Sharing the Insights: Festival of Archaeology

The discoveries at Bodbury Ring will be a highlight at this year’s Festival of Archaeology. On July 24, from 7.30pm, Professor Ainsworth will present a talk at the Chalet Pavilion, Carding Mill Valley. Attendees will have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating discoveries made at Bodbury Ring. Tickets for the event are priced at £5 per person and are available for booking on the National Trust website.

Top image: LiDAR scan image of the Bodbury Ring Hillfort.        Source: University of Chester

By Gary Manners