R. G. Collingwood
The site of the fort was donated to the National Trust in 1913, after being purchased with funds raised by donations, a significant portion of which was collected locally. The remains of the fort were excavated in the second decade of the 20th century by historian R. G. Collingwood, who had been involved in the fundraising effort to save the remains from the threat of development. This included investigations of the gates, ramparts, towers, the principal structures in the centre of the fort, and the barracks. During these excavations, the remains of an earlier version of the fort were discovered near the central buildings; these included ditches and walls. The earlier version of the fort appeared to be smaller than the later version.