MILITARY veterans and professional archaeologists are taking part in an excavation of an Iron Age Hill fort on the Lulworth Training Area.

Vulnerably perched on the edge of an unstable cliff, the 2,500-year-old Flower’s Barrow hillfort is being lost to the sea due to erosion.

A defence infrastructure organisation (DIO) archaeological excavation will try gather as much information about the site and those who lived their before it is lost.

This will be added to other information, including detailed surveys being undertaken by Historic England, which will increase understanding of the site and the surrounding historic landscape.

Military veterans are taking part under a programme called Operation Nightingale. This award-winning scheme sees wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans taking part in archaeological digs on the defence estate. 

Guy Salkeld, the DIO archaeologist who is organising and leading the excavation, said: “Looking after our land and heritage is really important to the MOD and archaeology on military land is often better preserved than it would otherwise be, as it’s protected from development and industrial agriculture.

“Unfortunately, even the MOD is powerless against the might of the sea. That’s why it’s really important that we gather as much information as possible about Flowers Barrow while we still can. My hope is that this excavation fills in the gaps in our knowledge of the site and ultimately, that we learn enough for it to come off the Heritage at Risk Register.”

Craig Appleby, former royal engineer and member of the Op Nightingale programme said: “Being part of the Op Nightingale team offers huge benefits, both for physical and mental well-being. Working on archaeological digs enables you to slow down and focus on something positive. In addition, taking part in these excavations with like-minded people provided a real sense of purpose and camaraderie.”

Daniel Bashford, heritage at risk project officer at Historic England, added:  “Climate change has increased the natural erosion of our coastline which affects the preservation of heritage sites such as Flowers Barrow.

“We are pleased to be working with the MOD and Wessex Archaeology on this Operation Nightingale project – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to increase our understanding of this vulnerable hillfort before it is lost to the sea.”