Monument record 995/1 - Possible Iron Age Enclosure/Hillfort, Finney Hill

Finney Hill, also known as Finness Hill, is a possible Iron Age enclosure or fort, that is either known or implied by historical documents, but for which there is very little obvious evidence on the ground. Erdswick (H. Mss 473, p5) wrote of it as occupying one of the elevations of the Forest,"upon divers other hill tops are signes of other Forts, whose names are to be had as Kelborow Castle and Furness". Webb, in 1656, mentions the "Finney oak" as borrowing its name from the Fort or castle of Finborow (2), and the site is shown on Speed's Map of Cheshire 1610 (5). There is a rise in the landscape at this location that is obvious on LiDAR imagery, shown as a level location, seemingly terraced, with a slope on its south and east edges. However, there is another prominent rise immediately north west of this terrace, suggesting a not ideally defensible location. The whole of the area to the west and north west of where a GIS point has been placed is a large area of higher ground, it is possible that a fort mentioned by these historical sources was found at any point along this ridge.

<1> Longley D, 1979, Prehistoric Sites in Cheshire, /35 (Report). SCH2719.

<2> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 2/3 (Y) (Book). SCH1389.

<3> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, vol .III p.240-241 (Book). SCH3228.

<4> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, 3/240-241 (Y) (Book). SCH3228.

<5> Speed J, 1610, The County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2110.

<6> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, /no.86 & 477 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<7> National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside, 2005, An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of the Sandstone Ridge ECOnet Partnership., R2576 (Client Report). SCH4718.