Helsby Hill Excavation - 2010

The prehistoric hilltop enclosure known as Helsby Hillfort, is a scheduled monument, SM 25689, and is therefore afforded statutory protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. Archaeological evaluation work was undertaken during late April and May 2010 to provide additional data in order to inform a strategy for the long-term management of the scheduled monument. The site is currently at risk owing to inundation by gorse and bracken vegetation as well as footpath erosion and the regular appearance of unofficial camp sites/fires.

The work was undertaken by a team of local volunteers under the supervision of professional archaeologists directed by Dan Garner (Habitats and Hillforts’ Archaeological Project Officer) in partnership with The National Trust. The work served to provide a training opportunity in archaeological excavation techniques for in excess of 30 local volunteers.

During the excavations a number of brief site tours were organised for local primary school children and for members of the Frodsham History Society.

The work mainly involved the re-excavation of two previous archaeological trenches dating to 1955 and 1964 and so the majority of the manual work was confined to the removal of 20th century backfill. The interim results of the evaluation work are presented below. Both of the trenches excavated provided evidence for six separate phases of activity and the results are presented by phase beginning with the earliest activity.

Helsby Excavation - Volunteers exposing the rampart

Cross section through the rampart at Helsby

Summary

The work has helped to establish the present condition of the archaeological remains on Helsby Hill and this will help to inform future decisions about the management of the site. We now have a far greater understanding about the construction of the hillfort rampart which will help to inform future interpretation of the monument.

We now eagerly await the results of the sample analysis in the hope that we can offer a more accurate chronology for the activity on Helsby Hill and further detail on the prevailing vegetation and the wider environment during the late prehistoric period.