Monument record RGH 014 - "Four Hills"

"Four Hills" supposed barrows, or more likely, C18 or C19 sand dumps, adjacent to A45 road, near Eldo* Cottage.
1915: Circular mounds, 6-8 feet high, with pine trees growing on them.
1950: As above but mounds 6 feet high.
1951: Basil Brown records particulars of the mounds from OS in February after his visit to them and noticing disturbances on one (S3).
1957: A R Edwardson trenched most northerly: mound of unstratified sand resting on gravel. At base of mound sherds of C18 pottery, yellow brick fragments and clay pipe stems. - Suggests that in C18 or C19 road metal was quarried from the adjacent pit and that these mounds are composed of sand left by the screening of the gravel.
Edwardson also trenched the other three mounds, to a lesser extent, but thought that they were composed of similar material.
1969: S E West and E Owles witnessed destruction of mound to S of A45 during road works. No prehistoric material found, but beneath the mound was an iron plough-share of C18 or C19 date (S2).
23 May 1978: Three mounds surviving: TL 8814 6340 - diameter 13.6m, height1. 21m. Grass and tree covered. TL 8812 6338 - diameter 17m, height 0.90m. Grass and tree covered. TL 8815 6333 - diameter 11.5m, height 1.12m. Tree covered in copse (S1).
* Name ELDO is not eald haugr 'old mound' but eald haga 'old enclosure'. Aldehage/Haldehaghe/Aldhage circa 1182-1186; Eldhawe 1327; Oldehawe 37 Henry VIII; Eldawe 1542.
2001:Trench and topographic survey of southern mound suggested a post medieval date (S4) further excavations followed.
It is thought likely that these mounds were actually pillow mounds from a [Post Medieval] rabbit warren (pers comm E Martin).
Also see RGH 045 for assessment Report by Chris Birks (S7).