THE HILL-FORTRESS CALLED EGGARDUN. 29 



the ramparts at the two ends seem to have been opened for 

 the sake of the road. The hill extends beyond W. end of 

 the camp about mile, and then terminates in so very sharp 

 and steep a point that it is with great difficulty a man can 

 get up. About half a mile from the camp, near Eggardon 

 House, are several springs of water which are never dry. It 

 is eleven miles from Dorchester. There is a considerable 

 firm Roman road which goes from that town to the S.E. 

 entrance of the camp in a direct line." History of Dorset , istEd. 

 1774. I. 607. 



The chief matters in Warne's account, published in 1872, are 

 as follows : 



"A strong advanced vallum and fosse are carried across the 

 ridge on the West side to guard the opening at the N.W. 

 extremity. That portion of the promontory not held by the 

 camp is intersected about midway by a very ancient and time- 

 worn fosse, while near at hand is a pit circle. 



Numerous are the indications impressed on Eggardun itself, 

 showing that it was extensively populated before it was en- 

 trenched ; the turf being thickly strewn with shallow pits, the 

 sites of ancient dwellings. The track trodden by the denizens 

 of this ancient settlement runs from the open down on the 

 East, along the interior beneath the ramparts, and traverses 

 this area to the verge of the opposite [west] embankments, 

 which are thrown over it. This track is easily traced down the 

 slope of Eggardun to a field close to Powerstock Castle. 

 Some 200 yards [283 yards] to the East of the fortress is a 

 Disc Barrow, the largest in Dorset. On this open down 

 are clearly marked evidences that this hill was one large and 

 extensive settlement before it was entrenched." Ancient Dorset, 



P- 57- 



To some extent the account of these authorities, Hutchins 

 and Warne, must be criticised and controverted. Speaking 

 roughly, the shape of Eggardun Camp is a rounded oblong, 

 whose shorter sides look respectively east and west. It is 

 protected by two deep ditches with corresponding walls. Its 



