Chanctonbury Ring Temples

Temple Or Shrine

Romano-British Temple – Chanctonbury 1

A square Romano-British temple lies within the defences of an Iron-Age hillfort. The temple portico measures around 52 x 46 feet with plastered walls of flint and mortar c.2 ft. thick, the cella measures 30 x 23 feet with thicker walls of the same construction, c.3 ft. thick. It would appear that the hillfort enclosure served the function of a temenos. Built in the 3rd century, the temple went out of use during the 4th; it probably faced east. (Type Ib, or Ic)

Polygonal Temple – Chanctonbury 2

There is another polygonal shrine within the defences of the hillfort about 67 ft. south of the square temple. In plan the building appears pear-shaped, with a ‘bulb’ around 30 ft. in diameter, and a ‘neck’ – presumably containing the entrance – aligned to the east.

References for Chanctonbury Ring Temple

Temples in Roman Britain by M.J.T. Lewis (Cambridge 1966).Temples in Roman Britain by M.J.T. Lewis (Cambridge 1966). Temples in Roman Britain by M.J.T. Lewis (Cambridge 1966).Temples in Roman Britain by M.J.T. Lewis (Cambridge 1966).

Roman Roads near Chanctonbury Ring Temple

None identified

Sites near Chanctonbury Ring Temples