Maiden Castle Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

geohatter: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Paul
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Hidden : 3/13/2013
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A traditional cache close to the Sandstone Trail.

A traditional cache close to the Sandstone Trail long distance footpath and the Iron Age hill fort of Maiden Castle with magnificent views to the north and west.
Bickerton Hill, home of the 1st Sandstone Scout Group, lies at the southern end of the Mid Cheshire Ridge which runs from the River Mersey in the north almost to the Shropshire border in the south. A large area of the hill is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its biological importance. Its summit plateau has an extensive area of lowland heath, a rare habitat in Cheshire, and one that is particularly important for reptiles. The western escarpment of the hill below the location of this cache has also been designated an SSSI for its exposed Triassic sandstones.
Maiden Castle is the most southerly of the seven hill forts in Cheshire and dates from around 600 BC. The fort was destroyed by fire in around 400 BC, although the area was probably used as a settlement until the Roman invasion of Britain in the 1st century AD.
The double line of earth ramparts are still visible, forming a semicircle that encloses an area of 1.3 acres (5,300 m2) adjacent to the cliff edge. An unusual feature of this hill fort is that the ramparts occupy a larger area than the space which they enclose. Archaeological investigations have shown that both ramparts are strengthened by dry stone walling; during the occupation of the site the stone faced ramparts would have been over 12 ft high, on top of which would have been a wooden pallisade adding at least another 12 ft to the height.  The stone faced ramparts survive although now covered by soil and vegetation. The sites of the dwellings have long since been destroyed by mining and agriculture.
The enclosure had a single entrance at the east side with inturned defensive banks.  Archaeological investigation revealed the post holes for substantial wooden gates which would once have secured this entrance.  The inturned banks are very clearly visible from the site of this cache.
The cache is a traditional clip lid container in a camo bag.
This cache has been placed with the kind permission of the National Trust

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Onfr bs gerr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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