Prof Gary Lock of Kellogg College, Oxford, on ‘Moel y Gaer, Bodfari, a small hillfort in the Clwydians, Denbighshire’. (CAA Research Fund project)
Moel-y-Gaer Bodfari is a small hillfort in the Clwydian hills positioned outside the village of Bodfari, five miles north-east of Denbigh. It is strategically located overlooking the confluence of the Rivers Chwiler and Clwyd with an enclosed area of c 2ha. Recent work has focussed various forms of survey and excavation. Post-excavation is in progress.
The survey work at Bodfari was designed to establish a methodological approach to North Welsh hillforts. LiDAR was used as a basis for the earthwork survey with successful and interesting results which together with a range of geophysical techniques have resulted in a rich data-set forming the basis for comparative analysis.
Excavation, based on survey results, has focussed on sections of rampart, a roundhouse, an inturned entrance and a possible second entrance. The site is multi-phased and complex probably starting as a univallate enclosure which was later expanded into multivallation. The project had an outreach programme and two artists in residence.
Further reading: http://projects.arch.ox.ac.uk/bodfari.html