Roman iron smelting in the Chilterns?

Hobb's Hill survey day 1 - a new project

Sixteen members of the Active Archaeology Group converged on Hobb's Hill, near Princes Risborough, on Sunday 1 November for the first day of our survey there. 

The site is a ditch and bank running along the crest of a high spur of the Chilterns escarpment. Its date of construction is unknown, but other earthworks nearby are known to be pre-Roman. The aim of this new AAG project will be to establish where Hobb's Hill fits in.


In brilliant sunshine one team measured the earthworks, a second measured levels to obtain profiles of their shape, while a third explored the surrounding woodland to establish the context of the site. Others off-site will research local finds and reports from other local archaeological sites.

This being autumn, the local 'natural history' also drew our attention, with a notable profusion of different fungi in evidence - though at lunch we stuck to our sandwiches!

Another survey is planned in late November.

PHOTOS: Stuart King.