Monument record 1732/1/1 - Beeston Castle Hillfort, Neolithic Activity

The results of archaeological work at Beeston Crag (and Castle) demonstrate that there was activity on the hilltop during the Neolithic (Period 1A) and Bronze Ages (CHER 1732/1/2), in addition to the Iron Age hillfort (CHER 1732/1/3), but it is difficult to accurately date the foundation of the plateau as a defended hilltop (18). Excavations during the 1960s and 1980s near the outer gateway found a series of terraces and hollows, three postholes and layers of charcoal and sand; some of these features contained Neolithic pottery, and suggests prolonged occupation and / or working areas (7). Residual pottery from the Late Neolithic, and the Early and Middle Bronze Ages was found in horizons belonging to an Iron Age platform. It is, however, no clear whether these early features represent an enclosure of the hilltop.

The Outer Gateway excavation (ECH2872, 1975 – 1985) was cited where a natural valley with a shallower gradient than the steep slopes to the north and south. Here, a group of features was found sealed beneath a Period 2A (Bronze Age) hill-wash layer. The hillside had been modified by a series of slight circular terraces and hollows, and spread of stones just below them may have been associated. The area of terracing was clearly defined by a spread of charcoal-rich sediment containing occupational debris (7).

It is clear that an attempt to modify the hill slope was made, to create a level, and the occupation debris and spread burnt deposits indicate the use of the levelled area on more than a temporary scale. The embanked area and the hollows might represent the remains of an enclosure. A small number of Early to Middle Neolithic sherds were recovered, and one of the hollows produced a radiocarbon date of 4340 – 4003 cal BC (layer 542).Further Neolithic features were found on the plateau edge, a pit and postholes were beneath the platform behind the Period 3A rampart. One of these features was a relatively large pit cut into bedrock and has been interpreted as a possible entranceway (7).

<1> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/105, 108-10 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<2> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 8/28 Hough P R 1982 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

<3> Various, Current Archaeology, 91/245-9 Hough P R (N) (Journal/Periodical). SCH1031.

<4> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 23641 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<5> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, no.900 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<6> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 23641 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

<7> Ellis P (ed), 1993, Beeston Castle, Cheshire. Excavations by Laurence Keen and Peter Hough, 1968-85 (Book). SCH4335.

<8> Engineering Archaeological Services, 2009, Beeston Castle Geophysical Survey. November 2009, R3174 (Client Report). SCH6416.

<9> Chester City Council Archaeology Service, 1993, Chester Archaeology Service Newsletter (Newsletter). SCH6007.

<10> Engineering Archaeological Services, 2010, Beeston Castle Geophysical Survey, June 2010, R3175 (Client Report). SCH6421.

<11> MAP Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 2007, Beeston Castle, Tarporley, Cheshire, R2813 (Client Report). SCH5007.

<12> Matrix Archaeology, 2008, Beeston Castle, Near Bunbury, Cheshire Archaeological Watching Brief (french drain), R2865 (Client Report). SCH5110.

<13> Matrix Archaeology, 2008, Beeston Castle, Near Bunbury, Cheshire Archaeological Watching Brief (Trackway Earthworks), R2866 (Client Report). SCH5111.

<14> Oxford Archaeology North, 2007, Habitats and Hillforts of the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge, Cheshire: Archaeological Condition Survey, R2894 (Client Report). SCH5260.

<15> Engineering Archaeological Services, 2010, Beeston Castle Geophysical Survey, August 2010, R3176 (Client Report). SCH6426.

<16> MAP Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 2007, Beeston Castle, Tarporley, Cheshire (Client Report). SCH5007.

<17> Unknown, Unknown, Recent Discoveries of Prehistoric Material at Beeston Castle (Unpublished Report). SCH7303.

<18> Oxford Archaeology North, 2008, Habitats and Hillforts of the Cheshire sandstone Ridge: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, R2893 (Client Report). SCH5259.

<19> Garner, Dan and others, 2016, Hillforts of the Cheshire Ridge (Book). SCH8403.