Conygar Hillfort facts for kids

Conygar Hillfort is an ancient hill fort from the Iron Age in Somerset, England. It is located in the North Somerset area. This fort is special because it has several layers of protective walls or ditches.

Today, Conygar Hillfort is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it is an important historical site protected by law. It is about half a mile south of Portbury village, near Bristol and the M5.

The fort has a triangular shape. You can still see parts of a bank on its south-western side, which is about 3 feet high.

What is a Hill Fort?

Hill forts are large, ancient settlements or forts built on top of hills. People in the Iron Age (which was roughly from 800 BC to 100 AD) built them. These forts often had strong walls or ditches around them for protection.

Why Were Hill Forts Built?

Historians and archaeologists have different ideas about why people built hill forts. Some think they were military bases, built to defend against attacks from other groups. Others believe they were important places for communities to live and trade.

Many experts agree that hill forts became more common as the population grew. They might have been safe places for people to go during times of trouble. Even if there wasn't a constant war, these forts offered protection when tensions rose.

Life in the Iron Age

The Iron Age was a time of big changes in Britain. People started using iron ore to make tools and weapons. Iron was found in different places than the metals used before, like tin and copper. This changed how people traded and where important towns were located.

As new groups gained power, society changed. Hill forts might have been a way for communities to show their strength and protect their resources.

Conygar Hillfort Today

Conygar Hillfort is a great example of an Iron Age hill fort. It helps us understand how people lived and protected themselves thousands of years ago. Studying sites like this gives us clues about ancient British history.