Hillforts of Gwent - In Search of the Iron Age
From a 2001 dissertation by Caroline Martin
Lodge Hill – Caerleon
By Caroline Martin
First published 2001
Location of Lodge Hill – Caerleon
Lodge Hill Encampment as shown on 1883 OS Map
Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland
Lodge Hill Encampment as shown on 1970 OS Map
Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland
Old Aerial Photo of Lodge Hill
Lodge Hill Drawn by WH Greene 1892
© Newport Past
Lodge Wood Camp (ST 332 913) is situated in Caerleon and is 110m OD. The following information is extracted from a survey that was carried out by N. Philips and K. Smith in the summer of 2000 for the University College Wales Newport; the excavation was under the supervision of Dr. J. Pollard.
The hillfort follows a ridge, which runs east west east to west south west. The highest part of the fort is 110m, dropping to less than 10m at the River Usk in the south west. The site is heavily wooded. The survey that was carried out in 2000 was restricted to the south western edge of the hillfort and the south side of the inner enclosure. The survey covered an area of approximately 160 metres by 80 metres. The survey undertaken was successful in meeting the aims that were required of both excavation mapping and damage analysis. The survey brought to light the need for a full survey of this very difficult site and it has also raised some doubt over the validity of the entranceway that has been presumed to be on the south side of the hillfort (Philips 2000, 1-12). Lodge Hill is a seven acre multivallate hillfort with a simple entrance. The difficulty of the site is that the intense woodland cover and very steep sides make it very difficult to conduct a full survey of this site.
External Link: See www.caerleon.net