Codford Circle facts for kids
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| Alternative name | Oldbury Camp, Wilsbury Ring, Woldsbury |
|---|---|
| Location | Wiltshire |
| Region | Southern England |
| Type | Hilltop enclosure or possible hillfort |
| Area | 3.6 ha (8.9 acres) |
| Height | 188 m (617 ft) |
| History | |
| Material | Chalk |
| Periods | Possible Neolithic |
| Site notes | |
| Archaeologists | Sir Richard Colt Hoare, W.F. Cunnington |
The Codford Circle is an ancient site in Wiltshire, England. It sits on top of Codford Hill, which is part of Salisbury Plain. People also know it as Wilsbury Ring or Woldsbury.
This site is thought to be a very old enclosure from the Neolithic period. The Neolithic period was a time when people first started farming. It might also have been a type of hillfort, which was a fortified settlement.
Contents
What is Codford Circle?
The Codford Circle is shaped like an oval. It covers an area of about 3.6 hectares (9 acres). The site is surrounded by a large bank. This bank is about 6.5 meters (21 feet) wide. It stands up to 1.6 meters (5 feet) high.
Outside the bank, there is a ditch. This ditch is about 5 meters (16 feet) wide. It is up to 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) deep. Some parts of the ditch have become flatter over time due to farming.
What Can We See From Above?
When viewed from an airplane, you can see more details. Aerial photos show signs of an inner ditch. This might mean there was once a wooden fence, called a palisade.
There are also signs of old entrances. These entrances are on the east and west sides of the site. Other entrances on the southeast and northwest were made later.
Why Was Codford Circle Built?
Archaeologists have not found much evidence of people living here. This means it might not have been a permanent home. The earthworks, like the banks and ditches, are not very strong. This suggests it was not built mainly for defense.
Because of this, experts believe it was an enclosure. Its exact purpose is still a mystery. It was built a very long time ago, but we don't know exactly when or why.
Images for kids
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A 3D view of the Codford Circle site.
