What is recorded here

Four hidden ringforts, each about 60 metres across, lie levelled beneath Belinstown, their shapes still visible in cropmarks above the soil. The largest has two ditches and a small rectangular annexe at its southeast edge, suggesting a resident household rather than a passing camp. People may have lived, argued, buried tools and forgotten the place before roads and metro plans returned it to attention.

Aerial photographs (CUCAP, BDS 50-56) show four circular cropmarks (diams. av. c. 60m) with associated field systems. These are probably levelled ringforts (Stout and Stout 1992, 17-18). This site was subject to geophysical survey (Licence no. 08R117) and test excavation (Licence no. 09E0448) as part of the proposed Metro North development. A central enclosure ditch (48m x 38) is partially encompassed by a second elliptical enclosing ditch which was only identified on the eastern and southern extent of the complex. An outer enclosing ditch (73m x 64m) was also identified enclosing the central and elliptical enclosures and appears to define the extent of the archaeological complex. A rectilinear enclosure or possible annexe (14m x 7m) was also identified on the southeastern side of complex. While no diagnostic material was recovered during the testing programme the site is interpreted as a bi-vallate ringfort (Hession 2009, 20). Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 16 January 2015

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