Source/Archive record SCH7303 - Recent Discoveries of Prehistoric Material at Beeston Castle

There has been little evidence before the discoveries of the last few years that Beeston Crag might be the site of activity before the 1220s when the medieval castle was built. That evidence which did exist for a pre-13th century occupation of the hill was scant and inconclusive, consisting of a perforated stone axe, a stone celt, and a barbed-and-tanged arrowhead, each from the area of Beeston, but with no more detailed a provenance. Speculation was based upon comparison with the less commendable topographies of the neighbouring hillforts of Maiden Castle, Bickerton, to the south, and Eddisbury to the north and upon a supposition that so prominent a landmark as Beeston Crag would surely have commanded the attentions of succeeding generations. The report goes on to describe post holes and other evidence found in 1980.