Archaeological remains of a
univallate hillfort exist at the top of Roundway Hill, a
chalk escarpment. The fortifications are thought to date from between the
Late Bronze Age and
Early Iron Age (between the
eighth and
fifth century BC). The site consists of a triangular central area of approximately enclosed by a single
rampart,
ditch and
counterscarp bank. The north and south sides have steep natural slopes, and so the remains of the main defences are found on the eastern side. Also situated on the summit are two
bowl barrows (types of
tumuli). In 1907, the archaeologists
Maud Cunnington and
Ben Cunnington excavated the site. They found evidence of an older Bronze Age settlement below the hillfort, and artefacts such as
Romano-British pottery,
antler and animal bone suggested that the site had been a centre of human activity for a prolonged period. Excavations in the bowl barrows revealed evidence of a cremation, along with an incense cup, perforated conical buttons and secondary
urn burials,
flints, and Bronze Age and Romano-British pottery. Further excavations in 1977 revealed more artefacts, along with evidence that the barrows were at one time incorporated into the hillfort's outer ramparts. The hillfort was designated a
scheduled monument in 1964. ==Civil War==