Arbury Banks, Hertfordshire

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3D view of the digital terrain model Arbury Banks Hertfordshire Digital Terrain Model.jpg
3D view of the digital terrain model

Arbury Banks hill fort. Viewed from footpath to the southwest Arbury banks.jpg
Arbury Banks hill fort. Viewed from footpath to the southwest

Arbury Banks is a hill fort southwest of Ashwell, Hertfordshire, England.

It was probably first constructed during the late Bronze Age, 1000-700 BC. Standing at 90 m (300 ft) above sea level, it is one of a line of six similar hill forts along the northern Chilterns that includes Wilbury Hill Camp southwest of Letchworth. Excavations in the 1850s traced Arbury Banks' horseshoe-shaped ramparts and identified two opposed north-north-west and south-south-east entrances. Evidence was also discovered for several enclosures or buildings inside the fort.

Arbury Banks has been suggested as a possible location for the Battle of Watling Street, where a small Roman force destroyed the army of Boudica. [1]

The site is a scheduled monument. [2]

Ordnance Survey grid reference: TL261387

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References

  1. Grahame A. Appleby, "The Boudican Revolt: countdown to defeat", Hertfordshire Archaeology and History Vol. 16 (2009), pp. 57-65
  2. Historic England. "Arbury Banks Iron Age hillfort (1008981)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 13 November 2013.

52°01′56″N00°09′46″W / 52.03222°N 0.16278°W / 52.03222; -0.16278