Spetisbury Rings, also historically known as Crawford Castle, is a significant Iron Age hillfort and Scheduled Monument in Dorset, England.
It is one of a chain of important Iron Age earthworks in the area, which also includes sites like Hod Hill and Badbury Rings.
The "War Cemetery" Discovery
Spetisbury Rings is perhaps most famous for an important and somewhat dramatic archaeological discovery made during the construction of the railway line in 1857-1858.

Mass Graves: Workers found two mass graves within the ditch fill on the north-eastern side. The discoveries amounted to over 100 skeletons in total (at least 80 in the first find, and a further 40 the following year).

Violent End: Evidence on the remains indicated a violent end for some of the individuals; at least two skulls were perforated, and a spearhead was found still embedded in one of them.

Burial Goods: Grave goods found alongside the skeletons included:

Weapons (spear heads, an iron sword)

Personal ornaments (brooches, finger rings, a torque)

Other objects (a copper alloy cauldron, pottery, bone needles, a comb).

Mike The Mooching Minister.

November 6, 2025

Historical Interpretation: This find has led archaeologists to suggest the site was a "war cemetery," possibly victims of a major attack, perhaps by the invading Roman army around the time of the conquest in the 1st century AD. It parallels a similar, highly significant discovery made at the much larger Maiden Castle hillfort.
Today, the site is a popular spot for walkers, and the summit of the ramparts is marked by an Ordnance Survey trig point which offers excellent views of the surrounding area.

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Elevation 120 m

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Thursday 18 December

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Take Me There

Location: Spetisbury, North Dorset, Dorset, South West England, England, United Kingdom

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Trig Point of Spetisbury Ring

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Spetisbury Rings (also known as Crawford Castle)

1. Spetisbury Station Project – Trig Point of Spetisbury Ring loop from Spetisbury

2. Trig Point of Spetisbury Ring – Spetisbury Station Project loop from Charlton Marshall

3. Spetisbury Station Project – Trig Point of Spetisbury Ring loop from Spetisbury

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