Norsebury Ring
Encyclopedia
Norsebury Ring is the site of an Iron Age
univallate hillfort located in Hampshire
. Now mostly ploughed out to the South and east, some ditches and ramparts remain within a small copsed area to the North and west, which are surprisingly intact with a small outer ditch, then a bank, then another larger ditch followed by larger bank. However the trees and undergrowth hide the earthworks from immediate view.
A magnetometry survey in 1997 revealed two entrances (at the southeast and southwest) and found evidence to suggest that the site had a thriving Iron Age settlement. Bronze Age and Roman pottery has also been found at the site.
Originally, from one of the two entrances, a ditched avenue led to a large sub-circular enclosure some 30M. across in the centre of the fort. The enclosure may have contained a timber shrine as is thought to have existed at Danebury
.
The name Norsebury has apparently nothing to do with the "Norsemen", but the site was called originally "Naesan Byrg" which translates as "Fort at the ness", this later became "nose", and later still, "norse".
The site is a scheduled ancient monument, No.131.
Just to the East at lies the site of the 'Weston Colley Group' of 13 round barrows. The 'Hampshire Treasures' resource says they have been extensively ploughed out and are now crop marks only.
, and to the west of the village of Micheldever
, in the county of Hampshire
. Immediately to the south lies the River Dever
. The site lies just off to the western side of a shallow hill, at a level of approximately 100m AOD.
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
univallate hillfort located in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. Now mostly ploughed out to the South and east, some ditches and ramparts remain within a small copsed area to the North and west, which are surprisingly intact with a small outer ditch, then a bank, then another larger ditch followed by larger bank. However the trees and undergrowth hide the earthworks from immediate view.
A magnetometry survey in 1997 revealed two entrances (at the southeast and southwest) and found evidence to suggest that the site had a thriving Iron Age settlement. Bronze Age and Roman pottery has also been found at the site.
Originally, from one of the two entrances, a ditched avenue led to a large sub-circular enclosure some 30M. across in the centre of the fort. The enclosure may have contained a timber shrine as is thought to have existed at Danebury
Danebury
Danebury is an Iron Age hill fort in Hampshire in England, about north-west of Winchester . The site, covering , was excavated by Barry Cunliffe in the 1970s...
.
The name Norsebury has apparently nothing to do with the "Norsemen", but the site was called originally "Naesan Byrg" which translates as "Fort at the ness", this later became "nose", and later still, "norse".
The site is a scheduled ancient monument, No.131.
Just to the East at lies the site of the 'Weston Colley Group' of 13 round barrows. The 'Hampshire Treasures' resource says they have been extensively ploughed out and are now crop marks only.
Location
The site is located at , and lies to the east of the village of Sutton ScotneySutton Scotney
Sutton Scotney is a village in Hampshire, England. It is part of the City of Winchester district, and lies north of Winchester proper.It lies alongside the River Dever and is now bypassed by the A34 trunk road. It is notable for having been the site of numerous Spitfire crashes in the Second World...
, and to the west of the village of Micheldever
Micheldever
Micheldever is a village in Hampshire, England, situated 6 miles north of Winchester.It lies upon the River Dever . The river, and village, formerly part of Stratton Park, lie on a Hampshire grass downland, underlain with chalk and flint...
, in the county of Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. Immediately to the south lies the River Dever
River Dever
The River Dever is a river in the English county of Hampshire. It is a tributary of the River Test.The river rises alongside the A33 at around and flows west through the villages of Micheldever, Weston Colley, Stoke Charity, Wonston, Sutton Scotney, Upper and Lower Bullington, Barton Stacey, and...
. The site lies just off to the western side of a shallow hill, at a level of approximately 100m AOD.