Castle Dore facts for kids
Castle Dore is an ancient hill fort found near Fowey in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It's like a big, old circular fort from the Iron Age. People likely lived here from about 400 or 500 years before Jesus was born, up until about 100 years before. The fort has two big ditches that go around a circular area, which is about 79 meters (259 feet) wide. Archaeologists dug here in the 1930s. It became one of the most studied Iron Age forts in Cornwall.
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What is Castle Dore?
Castle Dore is a type of fort called a "hillfort." It has two large ditches that go around it. The inner ditch forms a perfect circle. This circle is about 79 meters (259 feet) across inside. The outer ditch curves around the inner one. It starts in the north and goes to the south-east. In the north-east, it gets wider to form an entrance.
How the Fort Changed Over Time
The earth banks, called ramparts, were built up later. They became taller, from about 1.8 meters (6 feet) to 2.5 meters (8 feet) high. The overall shape of the fort stayed mostly the same. However, the entrance was made more complex. This would have made it harder for enemies to get in.
Discovering the Past at Castle Dore
An archaeologist named Ralegh Radford led digs at Castle Dore. This happened between 1936 and 1937. For many years, his work was the most detailed study of a hillfort in Cornwall. Back then, archaeologists often focused on the fort's defenses. But Radford also explored the inside of the fort. He found holes where wooden posts once stood. These holes showed where huts had been built. This meant people lived inside the fort.
Learning More About the Fort's Age
At first, Radford thought the fort was used again much later. He believed it was used in the 5th and 6th centuries AD. But later, experts learned more about old sites. They realized that Castle Dore was only used during the Iron Age. Scientists used a method called radiocarbon dating at other sites. This helped them understand the age of pottery found at Castle Dore. So, the first time people used Castle Dore was changed. It was moved from the 2nd century BC to the 5th or 4th centuries BC.
Castle Dore During the English Civil War
Castle Dore was also important during the English Civil War. This was a big war in England. On August 31, 1644, a battle happened here. An army led by a general named Essex was trying to escape. They were moving from Lostwithiel to Fowey. But they were forced to stop at Castle Dore. They brought their supplies and cannons into the fort.
The Army's Surrender
Just before night, one group of soldiers gave up. This showed that the army was losing hope. By morning, it was clear that Essex's soldiers would not fight anymore. They were very sad and tired. So, General Essex decided to run away. This event marked a big defeat for his army.
Images for kids
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3D view of the digital terrain model
