"By South Cadbury is that Camelot ..." the excavation of Cadbury Castle 1966-1970

by Leslie Alcock

. 1972, bright clean copy, with dustjacket, no markings, Professional booksellers since 1981

Genres: Archaeology, Nonfiction, History, Arthurian

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 1972

About the author

Leslie Alcock was Professor of Archaeology at the University of Glasgow, and one of the leading archaeologists of the Early Medieval British period. His major excavations included Dinas Powys hill fort in Wales, Cadbury Castle, South Cadbury in Somerset and a series of major hillforts in Scotland.

For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_A...

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

While now superceded by the official two-volume academic excavation report, Cadbury-Camelot (as this book became known) was noteworthy in that it gave a relatively immediate presentation, synopsis and discussion of the literally ground-breaking dig at this Somerset hillfort in the swinging sixties to an eager public. I say eager because, while the pages also detail the Neolithic, Iron Age, Roman and medieval period occupations amply found at Cadbury, most public attention was focused on the Dark Age or early medieval, the so-called Age of Arthur beloved of Dr John Morris and other contemporary writers.

What was Arthurian about what was found? First and foremost is the Dark Age hall found on the summit plateau of the hill, its plan revealed by postholes (the remains of original wooden posts would have decayed over the course of a millennium and a half, of course). Then there was an encircling wall composed of timber, stone and earth which it was postulated could only have been ordered to be built by an ‘Arthur-type figure’. Into that wall, at the southwest corner, was found evidence for a substantial wooden gate with a rough road surface leading into the hillfort. Finally there was the substantial haul of Mediterranean pottery fragments which indicated that an elite had the clout to import exotic goods from far afield.

Where Cadbury-Camelot scored was that it was authored by the director of the dig himself who, until he declared himself 'agnostic' regarding Arthur, had made much of him as a possible historical figure in this work and particularly in his Arthur's Britain. I'm almost certain that the late Professor would latterly have been even further along the agnostic continuum; I do know that, as one who was there at the time, I was aware that he was largely dismissive of what he saw as the antics of Arthurian romantics beefing up the significance of each archaeological revelation. Nevertheless, Cadbury-Camelot remains as a worthy exemplar of an authoritative yet popularising account of a dig that, in this case, captured the imagination of the public at large.

http://wp.me/s2oNj1-cadbury

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of excavations of the Cadbury hill fort. Alcock writes engagingly and with clarity of the process, finds, and interpretation of this fascinating sites 4 millennia of human occupation. Filled with illustrations and photos as well - the sketches and maps are particularly excellent.

I found my copy by chance - I'd recommend it to anyone interested in archaeology in the British Isles.

[Monty Milne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this work is inevitably outdated, it is worth picking up – if you come across a copy – for the pleasant writing style and the abundant illustrations. Professor Alcock seems to have been a much admired archaeologist whose work has been vindicated by posterity. This goes not just for his techniques (such as geophysical surveys) but also the conclusions he drew from the material. (Don’t get too worked up about King Arthur – there’s a whole range of fascinating stuff here).

[Angela Deane · Rating 4 out of 5]

After meeting one of the archaeologists recently that took part in this 4 year excavation, he let me read his copy of this book. A good account of the excavations & theories surrounding Cadbury Castle & the legend that surrounds its connection with Arthur. Fascinating & amazing to see the finds ( although in black & white) , a recommended read to anyone interested in hill forts.