A team of archaeologists will be surveying and excavating the remains of a hill fort before it is lost to the waves forever. The work at Embury Beacon in Hartland (Devon, England) will be a race against time to save the remaining 25 per cent of the fort.
     Previous surveys suggest that the monument may have enclosed the crest of a prominent coastal headland, most of which has eroded away in the last 2,000 years. The current excavations, which began on April 16 by a team of volunteers, are examining how the original entrance opened.
     Justin Seedhouse, National Trust Ranger, said: "We have enjoyed involving local schools in the digs. Woolsery Primary School got their hands dirty learning to be trainee archaeologists and hearing about the history of the fort here, and we have Hartland Primary School also coming to visit."
     The excavation is part of the 'unlocking our coastal heritage' project, supported by the Rural Development Programme for England, which aims to improve the visitor experience along the South West Coast Path National Trail.

Edited from North devon Gazette 24 (6 May 2012)