Lottery-backed study of historic Iron Age fort site to begin

The archaeological study is part of a project that has received backing from lottery bosses and information gleaned will be used to put together a detailed bid for cash to help preserve the heritage of the site where the history of human activity goes back over 4,000 years.

Archaeologists from ArcHeritage will investigate the remains and written records from Castle Hill, held at Tolson Museum, in Huddersfield, from a series of partial excavations carried out between 1939 and 1973.

It will be the first time that the finds and records from archeologist WJ Varley’s excavations have been thoroughly studied and subjected to modern scientific analysis.

It is hoped the new study will contribute to a new understanding of early human activity on Castle Hill and compliment a geophysical survey which is being carried out at the historic site.

A full report on the findings will be published later this year.

Castle Hill, above Almondbury, in Huddersfield, can be seen for miles around and is a scheduled ancient monument that has been settled for at least 4,000 years.

A fort was built on the site in about 600BC. Finds from various digs, including coins and ceramics, can be seen at the British Museum in London.

The site was earlier mired in controversy after a developer part-built a hotel which did not match plans approved by Kirklees Council and was ordered to tear it down.

The study has been commissioned by Kirklees Council and made possible with initial backing of a £14,300 development grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Information gained may be used to plan further archaeological investigations and to develop a full application for a £850,000 HLF grant to carry out a conservation project at the site.

A spokesman for Kirklees Council said: “If the grant application was successful, it would include a three-year programme of fun educational activities, restoration of the Victoria Jubilee Tower, restoration of the mediaeval well, the repair of dry stone walls and the creation of short circular waymarked walks.”

The site was developed as an iron age hill fort, surrounded by defensive ditches and ramparts. In the Middle Ages there was a castle on the hill, of which the well remains. The present tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1897.

Evidence for the occupation and development of Castle Hill comes from a series of partial excavations carried out by WJ Varley between 1939 and 1973.

Kirklees Council wants the historic site to be known as a landmark for wildlife and recreation.

It is hoped a detailed lottery bid, if successful, will promote the use of Castle Hill, as an important heritage asset and visitor destination, while taking steps to protect its heritage and landscape.

Local people are being given the chance to meet the archaeologists carrying out the study at Tolson Museum and learn about the work they are carrying out. This will include a chance to handle some of the finds, such as bones, and get an insight into how they are identified and dated.

The museum, at Ravensknowle Park, Wakefield Road, Huddersfield, will host two drop-in sessions and two sessions which give more detailed information and which must be booked ahead, on Saturday, August 25 and Wednesday August 29.

Although not suitable for very young children, the drop-in sessions are aimed at a general audience and no specialist knowledge of archaeology is required.

For more information telephone Tolson Museum on 01484 223830 or email [email protected]