Overview
Moel-y-Gaer (Bodfari) is the northernmost of a series of hillforts atop the Clwydian hills in north-eastern Wales. Nine seasons of survey and excavation have revealed details of Moel-y-Gaer’s ramparts, entrances and interior. This small hillfort started with a single rampart, later to be enlarged on the western side with an extra rampart and ditch. The second phase rampart was constructed of dry-stone walling and increased in width at least once. It was shown to be very different in character to the earlier rampart. An early western entrance was no longer used in the later phase, which saw the construction of an inturned entrance to the north. There is little evidence for occupation within the enclosure although a single roundhouse was constructed facing the northern entrance. Radiocarbon dating establishes all the second phase activity within the Middle Iron Age with the first phase rampart being somewhat earlier. Discussion situates Moel-y-Gaer (Bodfari) within current understandings of the later prehistoric settlement record for north-eastern Wales paying particular attention to hillforts.
Full Product Details
Author: Gary Lock (Retired Professor of Archaeology, University of Oxford)
Publisher: Archaeopress
Imprint: Archaeopress Archaeology
Weight: 0.528kg
ISBN: 9781803273129
ISBN 10: 1803273127
Pages: 140
Publication Date: 26 July 2022
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
'The book is organised into ten crafted sections that cover the context of the site, the results of the initial survey and excavation, followed by specialist reports. Beautifully illustrated, it provides the reader with a fascinating account of the fieldwork and post-excavation programmes. It is a must-buy for anyone interested in the archaeology of Iron Age Britain.' - George Nash (2022): Current Archaeology Issue 392
‘The book is organised into ten crafted sections that cover the context of the site, the results of the initial survey and excavation, followed by specialist reports. Beautifully illustrated, it provides the reader with a fascinating account of the fieldwork and post-excavation programmes. It is a must-buy for anyone interested in the archaeology of Iron Age Britain.’ – George Nash (2022): Current Archaeology Issue 392 'This is an extremely important site report, in its close detailing of Early- and Middle Iron Age architectural design and construction of a north-west hillfort. Bodfari was once a very complex site, confusing even the most skilled hillfort experts. Now it is expertly and efficiently interpreted by Lock and Pouncett, and hillfort studies reap the benefits of its rapid publication.' – Rachel Pope (2023): Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 172
Author Information
Gary Lock is an Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University of Oxford, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists . He gained a BA (Hons) in Archaeology from the University of Leicester and a PhD working on the post-excavation of Danebury hillfort.
