THE 
WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE. 
“ MULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS.’—Ovid. 
Aclics of Ancient Population on Oldbury Hill, 
CAilts. 
By Mr. Cunninerton, F.G.S. 
LDBURY ! is conspicuous amongst the chalk hills of North 
Wilts, on account of its height, 812ft. above the mean 
sea-level at Liverpool. It is also marked by the obelisk erected 
by Henry, Marquis of Lansdowne (the first Patron of the Wilts 
Archzologica) and Natural History Society), to commemorate the 
birth of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. This is built of North 
Wilts oolitic stone, and is 127ft. in height. It forms a promi- 
nent landmark for a great extent of country, and is a very 
picturesque object from the grounds of Bowood Park. But 
Oldbury is most remarkable for the grand ancient encampment 
which crowns its-summit. On this Sir R. Colt Hoare makes the 
following remarks :—“ This earthen-work is one of the most in- 
teresting in our county, and bears such evident marks of antiquity, 
that I make no doubt this hill owed its first agger to the Britons, 
and the additional ramparts to the Saxons. Its situation towards 
_ the north-east is rendered particularly strong by Nature, and fortified 
_ by deep ravines, and very indented ground. Though there might 
have been some approach to the camp from the north, yet the prin- 
cipal entrance is ascertained to have been made to the south-east by 
an outwork still visible. The camp is doubly ditched, and contains 
_ within its area twenty-five acres: the circumference of its ramparts 
is twelve hundred and seventy-six yards, and the height of them 
| 
; 
: 1D. v., Rev. A. C. Smith’s Map, 
VOL. XXIII.—NO, LXIX. Q 
“ 
