Sutton Walls Hill Fort, Iron Age hill fort near Marden, England
Sutton Walls Hill Fort is an Iron Age fortification on elevated ground between Sutton St Nicholas and Marden, covering several hectares of terrain. The site shows clear earthen ramparts and defensive ditches surrounding the elongated oval enclosure in a way that remains visible today.
Excavations between 1948 and 1951 uncovered foundations of roundhouses, cooking hearths, and corn-drying ovens dating from the 2nd century BC to the 3rd century AD. These discoveries reveal that people occupied and used the site continuously over many generations.
The name comes from the substantial earthen walls that define the landscape and remain visible across the site today. Visitors can trace how these defensive structures shaped the way people used this elevated ground.
The site is easy to explore on foot since the earthen ramparts and ditches are clearly visible in the landscape. Access is generally open, but visitors should watch for uneven ground and steep slopes across the area.
Twenty-four headless skeletons discovered near the western entrance suggest a sudden violent conflict. This finding may connect to a major historical upheaval, though its exact cause remains uncertain.
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