Lomography

Montacute Hill, West Chinock by J.Polkest

Ham Hill is the site of a very large bronze age and iron age hill fort of the Durotriges tribe.The 3 mile(4.8km) ramparts enclose an area of 210 acreas. There is a major entrance to the south east on the line of the modern road and another to the north east following a track from the Stoke Sub Hamdon church. Archaeological finds include bronze work, chariot parts, iron currency bars, gold and silver coins, cremations and burials. The Hill was captured around 45AD by the Roman Second Legion, led by Vespasian who had already captured Maiden Castle and other hill forts to the south. Many Roman Military artifacts have been found, and it is possible that the second legion had an encampment temporarily as they almost certainly did at Hod Hill.After initial campaigns a more permenant roman camp was established at nearby Ilchester, and the Fosseway military road was constructed within 1 km of Ham Hill, on its way to Axminster and the garrison at Exeter. The area was very prosperous in the Roman period and several major villas have been located nearby, including those of Stoke sub Hamdon, Odcome, Lufton and West Coker. Just to the East of the main plateau is the isolated St Michaels Hill, the pointed hill that gives its name to Montacute and which was converted to a motte and bailey castle by the ruddy Normans.