Complete excavations of mottes, that give anything like an idea of the actual original form and development of motte are rare. This is the report of the excavations of
Aldingham Motte, done in the 1960s. They show a three phase site. Initially built as a ringwork, this was filled in to make a slope sided motte and finally an unfinished phase when the mound was a sheer sided timber revetted motte.