The Cheshire hillforts are some of the most conspicuous features of the
prehistoric landscape in Cheshire, located on the distinctive Cheshire
Sandstone Ridge. They have been subject to years of archaeological
research and investigation, however this has delivered only a limited
understanding of their chronology, function, occupation history, economy
and status. These hillforts are major elements of the prehistory of the
region, but the lack of information about them is a major gap in our
understanding. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Habitats and
Hillforts Landscape Partnership Project focused on six of the hillforts
and their surrounding habitats and landscapes. The aim of the project
was not only to develop archaeological understanding, but also to raise
awareness of these special assets in the landscape and the management
issues they face. The Habitats and Hillforts Project was a collaborative
partnership, led by Cheshire West and Chester Council, with Historic
England, the National Trust, the Woodland Trust and the Forestry
Commission, as well as private landowners. These landowners and land
managers came together to share approaches to managing heritage assets
on the Sandstone Ridge. The project core team was assisted by university
specialists and archaeological contractors in surveying, excavating and
researching the hillforts. A range of techniques including archival
research, geophysical survey, earthwork survey, lidar, fieldwalking,
excavation and palaeoenvironmental analysis, was employed to develop our
understanding of these significant sites. A large and dedicated group of
volunteers and students joined in this work, which encouraged more
people to enjoy these assets and take an active role in their
management. The Habitats and Hillforts Project has shed new light on the
Cheshire Hillforts. Their chronology can now be seen to have developed
from middle/late Bronze Age origins, much earlier than traditionally
accepted. The possible development of distinct architectural styles in
their construction can be suggested and an enhanced understanding of
their surrounding landscape has been achieved. This volume details the
results of the four year project, and sets out how these contribute to a
deeper understanding of the ordering of the landscape in western
Cheshire during the later prehistoric period and beyond. It should form
a vital resource for informing future research priorities regarding the
late Bronze Age and Iron Age of both Cheshire and the wider North West
region.
