Remains of an Iron Age hill fort have been uncovered during excavation work to restore a series of caves in Kent.
A dig at Margate Caves in preparation for the site being reopened to the public revealed the 'wonderful' find.
Researchers discovered a defensive ditch during routine excavation as part of the redevelopment of the caves, also known as Vortigern's Cavern.
Experts believe the fort may have been used as a social centre for festivals and trade, as well as for defensive purposes.
Iron Age hill fort that helped defend Margate against invading soldiers 2,800 years ago is uncovered during cave excavations
Researchers discovered a defensive ditch during routine excavation work
Experts are hoping to restore Margate Caves and open them to the public
The fortification is part of a wider encampment that overlooked the harbour
It was a defensive position from pre-history through to the Napoleonic Era
By Tim Collins For Mailonline
15 February 2018
Remains of an Iron Age hill fort have been uncovered during excavation work to restore a series of caves in Kent.
A dig at Margate Caves in preparation for the site being reopened to the public revealed the 'wonderful' find.
Researchers discovered a defensive ditch during routine excavation as part of the redevelopment of the caves, also known as Vortigern's Cavern.
Experts believe the fort may have been used as a social centre for festivals and trade, as well as for defensive purposes.
Remains of an Iron Age hill fort have been uncovered during excavation work to restore a series of caves in Kent. Researchers discovered a defensive ditch (pictured) during routine excavation as part of the redevelopment
Archaeologists from the Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company (Swat), based in Faversham, made the discovery.
The fortification is thought to be part of a wider encampment, believed to have been a defensive position since pre-history through to the Napoleonic era.
The find was accompanied by a haul of stone age pottery, although this and similar finds in the area end abruptly with the Roman invasion of the region in 43AD.
Experts say that this suggests the locals were either slaughtered or forced to flee the area.
The fort on the cliffs overlooking Margate Harbour was originally the main defence for the harbour and for ships going round the North Foreland.
Nearby roadnames, including Fort Hill, Fort Crescent and Fort Promenade, elude to this history.
Dr Paul Wilkinson, director of the firm, said: 'The archaeological work is being carried out as a condition of the planning permission which is for a new entrance to the caves, ticket office and cafe.
'We had a set time and programme for the works which included community involvement.
'Both professional Swat archaeologists and volunteers have completed the work on time even though faced with exciting and challenging prehistoric archaeology.
'This included a massive defensive ditch, probably of an Iron Age fort, and huge postholes of Iron Age buildings all dated by large amounts of Iron Age pottery.
'It's a wonderful find on top of even more exciting caves.'
The Margate Caves site is thought to have originally been excavated as a chalk mine in the late 17th or early 18th Century.
Archaeologists from the Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company (Swat), based in Faversham, made the discovery. The fortification is thought to be part of a wider encampment, believed to have been a defensive position since pre-history through to the Napoleonic era
The dig is being made at the site of Margate Caves, in preparation for the site being reopened to the public. This image shows the site
In 1798, the caves were said to be found by the gardener of Northumberland House, who is said to have fallen down a hole and discovered them.
More recently they had been open to the public but, after years of poor maintenance the caves were closed because they were too dangerous.
WHAT ARE THE MARGATE CAVES?
The Margate Caves site is thought to have originally been excavated as a chalk mine in the late 17th or early 18th Century.
Also known as Vortigern's Cavern, they are a set of galleries radiating out from a rectangular shaft.
Local legend says that in the last years of the century, Francis Forster bought the site and built Northumberland House.
In 1798, the caves were said to be found by his gardener, who is said to have fallen down a hole and discovered them.
Forster had the caves opened and employed a local artist, Brazier, to create carvings and paint scenes on the walls.
During this time, murals were painted on walls depicting hunting scenes, religious etchings and silhouettes of animals.
The caves were used for storage, a wine cellar and as a grotto.
A number of modifications were made to the caves during this period, with new features and passages being cut. From 1835 until 1863 the caves went unused.
They were then rented by a shopkeeper, John Norwood, who opened them to the public under the name of Vortigern's Cavern.
This enterprise was successful for some time but eventually closed, parts of the system being backfilled.
More recently they had been open to the public but, after years of poor maintenance the caves were closed because they were too dangerous.
By 2016 £1.5million was raised to build a visitor and community centre as well as reopen the caves after a six-year campaign.
In 2017, the Margate Caves Community Education Trust announced it successfully bid for more than £420,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.
It is hoped that the centre will reopen in 2019.
By 2016 £1.5million was raised to build a visitor and community centre as well as reopen the caves after a six-year campaign.
In 2017, the Margate Caves Community Education Trust announced it successfully bid for more than £420,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.
It is hoped that the centre will reopen in 2019.
The ancient fort remains were found in the area of the proposed ticket office of the centre.
Dr Wilkinson says the caves were opened and closed many times over there tempestuous history.
He added: 'The caves were opened in 1907 by Dr Prior, the vicar, who cleared and cut new shafts, eventually opening the caves to the public again after 1910.
The Margate Caves site is thought to have originally been excavated as a chalk mine in the late 17th or early 18th Century. Murals were later painted on walls depicting hunting scenes, religious etchings and silhouettes of animals
The fort on the cliffs overlooking Margate Harbour was originally the main defence for the harbour and for ships going round the North Foreland
'A new entrance was cut in 1914 for use of the caves as an air raid shelter. The caves reopened to the public after the war until 1938 when they were closed.
'The vicarage above the caves was destroyed in June 1941 and afterwards the entrance to the caves was bricked up.
'In 1958 James Geary Gardner again reopened the caves. They were again closed in 2004.'
The Locations and details of thousands of ancient hill forts found across the landscapes of the UK and Ireland were mapped in an online database for the first time in June, 2017.
Researchers spent five years sifting through and recording information on all the hill forts across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man.
They discovered there are 4,147 such ancient sites, ranging from well-preserved forts to places where only crop marks and remnants reveal where they once stood.
This interactive map reveals the locations of 4,147 ancient sites across the UK, ranging from well-preserved forts to places where only crop marks reveal where they once stood
Information on all the hill forts has been collated onto a website that is freely accessible to the public.
The site works on smartphones and tablets to make it easy to discover details of nearby ancient sites on the move, the team said.
Professor Ian Ralston from the University of Edinburgh, who co-led the project, said: 'Standing on a windswept hill fort with dramatic views across the countryside, you really feel like you're fully immersed in history.
'This research project is all about sharing the stories of the thousands of hill forts across Britain and Ireland in one place that is accessible to the public and researchers.'
Professor Gary Lock from the University of Oxford said it was important the online database was freely available to researchers and others, such as heritage managers, and would provide the baseline for future research on hill forts.
He added: 'We hope it will encourage people to visit some incredible hill forts that they may never have known were right under their feet.'
The research reveals that nearly 40 per cent of all the hill forts across the UK and Ireland are found in Scotland, with 408 located in the Scottish Borders alone.
Locations and details of thousands of ancient hill forts found across the landscapes of the UK and Ireland were mapped in an online database (pictured) for the first time in June, 2017. The database will work on smartphones, tablets and computers
A team of researchers, with the help of citizen scientists, spent five years sifting and recording information on all the hill forts across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man. Pictured is Brown Caterthun near Edzell in Scotland
In England, Northumberland leads the way with 271 hill forts, while in the Republic of Ireland, Mayo and Cork each have more than 70 sites.
Powys is the county with the most hill forts in Wales, with 147, and in Northern Ireland, Antrim leads the way, with 15.
Hill forts were mostly built during the Iron Age, with the oldest dating to around 1,000 BC and the most recent to 700 AD.
The sites had numerous functions, many of which are still not fully understood.
Despite the name, not all hill forts are on hills, and not all are forts, the experts said.
Excavations show many were used predominantly as regional gathering spots for festivals and trade, and some are on low-lying land.
This image shows Barry Hill hillfort near Alyth, Scotland. Information on all the hill forts has been collated onto a website that is freely accessible to the public
Hill forts, like the Castlelaw hill fort in Midlothian, Scotland (pictured), were mostly built during the Iron Age, with the oldest dating to around 1000 BC and the most recent to 700 AD. The sites had numerous functions, many of which are still not fully understood
The research team from the University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford and University College Cork gathered information from 'citizen scientists' on hill forts. This image shows Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort near Croydon, England
The research team from the University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford and University College Cork gathered information from 'citizen scientists' on hill forts.
Around 100 members of the public collected data about the hill forts they visited, identifying and recording the characteristics of the forts, which were then analysed by the team.
The public will be able to continue contributing to the wiki-style database by uploading their own images and text based on their visits.
Fourth Century ruins of the roman temple in the prehistoric fortress of Maiden Castle, Dorset, England. The public will be able to continue contributing to the wiki-style database by uploading their own images and text based on their visits
The ruins of Maiden Castle Fort, Dorset, from above. Around 100 members of the public collected data about the hill forts they visited, identifying and recording the characteristics of the forts, which were then analysed by the team
This image shows what is left of Danebury fort, Hampshire, from above. The research reveals that nearly 40 per cent of all the hill forts across the UK and Ireland are found in Scotland, with 408 located in the Scottish Borders alone
Read more: Iron Age fort uncovered during Margate Caves excavation | Daily Mail Online
A dig at Margate Caves in preparation for the site being reopened to the public revealed the 'wonderful' find.
Researchers discovered a defensive ditch during routine excavation as part of the redevelopment of the caves, also known as Vortigern's Cavern.
Experts believe the fort may have been used as a social centre for festivals and trade, as well as for defensive purposes.
Iron Age hill fort that helped defend Margate against invading soldiers 2,800 years ago is uncovered during cave excavations
Researchers discovered a defensive ditch during routine excavation work
Experts are hoping to restore Margate Caves and open them to the public
The fortification is part of a wider encampment that overlooked the harbour
It was a defensive position from pre-history through to the Napoleonic Era
By Tim Collins For Mailonline
15 February 2018
Remains of an Iron Age hill fort have been uncovered during excavation work to restore a series of caves in Kent.
A dig at Margate Caves in preparation for the site being reopened to the public revealed the 'wonderful' find.
Researchers discovered a defensive ditch during routine excavation as part of the redevelopment of the caves, also known as Vortigern's Cavern.
Experts believe the fort may have been used as a social centre for festivals and trade, as well as for defensive purposes.
Remains of an Iron Age hill fort have been uncovered during excavation work to restore a series of caves in Kent. Researchers discovered a defensive ditch (pictured) during routine excavation as part of the redevelopment
Archaeologists from the Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company (Swat), based in Faversham, made the discovery.
The fortification is thought to be part of a wider encampment, believed to have been a defensive position since pre-history through to the Napoleonic era.
The find was accompanied by a haul of stone age pottery, although this and similar finds in the area end abruptly with the Roman invasion of the region in 43AD.
Experts say that this suggests the locals were either slaughtered or forced to flee the area.
The fort on the cliffs overlooking Margate Harbour was originally the main defence for the harbour and for ships going round the North Foreland.
Nearby roadnames, including Fort Hill, Fort Crescent and Fort Promenade, elude to this history.
Dr Paul Wilkinson, director of the firm, said: 'The archaeological work is being carried out as a condition of the planning permission which is for a new entrance to the caves, ticket office and cafe.
'We had a set time and programme for the works which included community involvement.
'Both professional Swat archaeologists and volunteers have completed the work on time even though faced with exciting and challenging prehistoric archaeology.
'This included a massive defensive ditch, probably of an Iron Age fort, and huge postholes of Iron Age buildings all dated by large amounts of Iron Age pottery.
'It's a wonderful find on top of even more exciting caves.'
The Margate Caves site is thought to have originally been excavated as a chalk mine in the late 17th or early 18th Century.
Archaeologists from the Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company (Swat), based in Faversham, made the discovery. The fortification is thought to be part of a wider encampment, believed to have been a defensive position since pre-history through to the Napoleonic era
The dig is being made at the site of Margate Caves, in preparation for the site being reopened to the public. This image shows the site
In 1798, the caves were said to be found by the gardener of Northumberland House, who is said to have fallen down a hole and discovered them.
More recently they had been open to the public but, after years of poor maintenance the caves were closed because they were too dangerous.
WHAT ARE THE MARGATE CAVES?
The Margate Caves site is thought to have originally been excavated as a chalk mine in the late 17th or early 18th Century.
Also known as Vortigern's Cavern, they are a set of galleries radiating out from a rectangular shaft.
Local legend says that in the last years of the century, Francis Forster bought the site and built Northumberland House.
In 1798, the caves were said to be found by his gardener, who is said to have fallen down a hole and discovered them.
Forster had the caves opened and employed a local artist, Brazier, to create carvings and paint scenes on the walls.
During this time, murals were painted on walls depicting hunting scenes, religious etchings and silhouettes of animals.
The caves were used for storage, a wine cellar and as a grotto.
A number of modifications were made to the caves during this period, with new features and passages being cut. From 1835 until 1863 the caves went unused.
They were then rented by a shopkeeper, John Norwood, who opened them to the public under the name of Vortigern's Cavern.
This enterprise was successful for some time but eventually closed, parts of the system being backfilled.
More recently they had been open to the public but, after years of poor maintenance the caves were closed because they were too dangerous.
By 2016 £1.5million was raised to build a visitor and community centre as well as reopen the caves after a six-year campaign.
In 2017, the Margate Caves Community Education Trust announced it successfully bid for more than £420,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.
It is hoped that the centre will reopen in 2019.
By 2016 £1.5million was raised to build a visitor and community centre as well as reopen the caves after a six-year campaign.
In 2017, the Margate Caves Community Education Trust announced it successfully bid for more than £420,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.
It is hoped that the centre will reopen in 2019.
The ancient fort remains were found in the area of the proposed ticket office of the centre.
Dr Wilkinson says the caves were opened and closed many times over there tempestuous history.
He added: 'The caves were opened in 1907 by Dr Prior, the vicar, who cleared and cut new shafts, eventually opening the caves to the public again after 1910.
The Margate Caves site is thought to have originally been excavated as a chalk mine in the late 17th or early 18th Century. Murals were later painted on walls depicting hunting scenes, religious etchings and silhouettes of animals
The fort on the cliffs overlooking Margate Harbour was originally the main defence for the harbour and for ships going round the North Foreland
'A new entrance was cut in 1914 for use of the caves as an air raid shelter. The caves reopened to the public after the war until 1938 when they were closed.
'The vicarage above the caves was destroyed in June 1941 and afterwards the entrance to the caves was bricked up.
'In 1958 James Geary Gardner again reopened the caves. They were again closed in 2004.'
The Locations and details of thousands of ancient hill forts found across the landscapes of the UK and Ireland were mapped in an online database for the first time in June, 2017.
Researchers spent five years sifting through and recording information on all the hill forts across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man.
They discovered there are 4,147 such ancient sites, ranging from well-preserved forts to places where only crop marks and remnants reveal where they once stood.
This interactive map reveals the locations of 4,147 ancient sites across the UK, ranging from well-preserved forts to places where only crop marks reveal where they once stood
Information on all the hill forts has been collated onto a website that is freely accessible to the public.
The site works on smartphones and tablets to make it easy to discover details of nearby ancient sites on the move, the team said.
Professor Ian Ralston from the University of Edinburgh, who co-led the project, said: 'Standing on a windswept hill fort with dramatic views across the countryside, you really feel like you're fully immersed in history.
'This research project is all about sharing the stories of the thousands of hill forts across Britain and Ireland in one place that is accessible to the public and researchers.'
Professor Gary Lock from the University of Oxford said it was important the online database was freely available to researchers and others, such as heritage managers, and would provide the baseline for future research on hill forts.
He added: 'We hope it will encourage people to visit some incredible hill forts that they may never have known were right under their feet.'
The research reveals that nearly 40 per cent of all the hill forts across the UK and Ireland are found in Scotland, with 408 located in the Scottish Borders alone.
Locations and details of thousands of ancient hill forts found across the landscapes of the UK and Ireland were mapped in an online database (pictured) for the first time in June, 2017. The database will work on smartphones, tablets and computers
A team of researchers, with the help of citizen scientists, spent five years sifting and recording information on all the hill forts across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man. Pictured is Brown Caterthun near Edzell in Scotland
In England, Northumberland leads the way with 271 hill forts, while in the Republic of Ireland, Mayo and Cork each have more than 70 sites.
Powys is the county with the most hill forts in Wales, with 147, and in Northern Ireland, Antrim leads the way, with 15.
Hill forts were mostly built during the Iron Age, with the oldest dating to around 1,000 BC and the most recent to 700 AD.
The sites had numerous functions, many of which are still not fully understood.
Despite the name, not all hill forts are on hills, and not all are forts, the experts said.
Excavations show many were used predominantly as regional gathering spots for festivals and trade, and some are on low-lying land.
This image shows Barry Hill hillfort near Alyth, Scotland. Information on all the hill forts has been collated onto a website that is freely accessible to the public
Hill forts, like the Castlelaw hill fort in Midlothian, Scotland (pictured), were mostly built during the Iron Age, with the oldest dating to around 1000 BC and the most recent to 700 AD. The sites had numerous functions, many of which are still not fully understood
The research team from the University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford and University College Cork gathered information from 'citizen scientists' on hill forts. This image shows Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort near Croydon, England
The research team from the University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford and University College Cork gathered information from 'citizen scientists' on hill forts.
Around 100 members of the public collected data about the hill forts they visited, identifying and recording the characteristics of the forts, which were then analysed by the team.
The public will be able to continue contributing to the wiki-style database by uploading their own images and text based on their visits.
Fourth Century ruins of the roman temple in the prehistoric fortress of Maiden Castle, Dorset, England. The public will be able to continue contributing to the wiki-style database by uploading their own images and text based on their visits
The ruins of Maiden Castle Fort, Dorset, from above. Around 100 members of the public collected data about the hill forts they visited, identifying and recording the characteristics of the forts, which were then analysed by the team
This image shows what is left of Danebury fort, Hampshire, from above. The research reveals that nearly 40 per cent of all the hill forts across the UK and Ireland are found in Scotland, with 408 located in the Scottish Borders alone
Read more: Iron Age fort uncovered during Margate Caves excavation | Daily Mail Online
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