Earth Trust

Earth Trust sits at the base of Wittenham Clumps, an iconic hillfort and Scheduled Ancient Monument in Oxfordshire.

This monument, known as ‘The Clumps’, is made up of two hills steeped in history: Castle Hill and Round Hill. Castle Hill holds evidence of a Bronze Age settlement and its curved ramparts date to the Iron Age. Round Hill shows both Roman and Iron Age occupation, and possible pre-historic activity. However, ancient occupation of this landscape extends far beyond the hilltops.

When the remains of a Roman villa were discovered during excavations next to the Earth Trust visitor centre, it began to reveal the story of a Romano-British family who lived and worked the land around Wittenham Clumps in the 3rd-4th centuries AD.

Beneath the Roman villa, lie the remains of the Iron Age community who lived here before them – including roundhouses, underground storage pits, Iron Age animals, and dozens of fascinating artefacts.

What else can we learn about these communities? How was the world changing around them? And can we help Earth Trust tell the stories that span the last 2,500 years?

Our site sits at the base of Wittenham Clumps, a famous ancient hillfort near the River Thames. Today much of this landscape is under the guardianship of Earth Trust, the much-loved environmental charity that cares for, improves, and provides access to green spaces in Oxfordshire, including the hillfort.

Our archaeological investigations first began here ahead of planned improvements and tree-planting around the Earth Trust visitor centre. These excavations led to the discovery of a previously unknown Roman villa, and traces of an Iron Age settlement before it.

Together with Earth Trust, we want to unearth the rest of the Roman villa and explore the Iron Age village to find out more about its inhabitants. We’ll share our discoveries and archaeological knowledge as widely as possible, helping people understand more about the unique natural landscape that Earth Trust cares for.