Dundon Hill Hillfort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dundon Hill Hillfort |
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Plan of the site
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| Location | Compton Dundon, Somerset, England |
| Built | Iron Age |
| Designated | 1996 |
| Reference no. | 22076 |
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Dundon Hill Hillfort is an ancient fort from the Iron Age in Compton Dundon, Somerset, England. It is a special historical place that has been protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it is an important site that helps us learn about the past. Near the fort, there is also a Bronze Age burial mound. Some people think this mound might have been changed into a Norman castle mound later on.
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Discovering Dundon Hill Hillfort
Dundon Hill is also known as Dundon Beacon. It stands out clearly in the flat area of King's Sedgemoor. The hill rises to about 270 feet, making it look like a small mountain. One expert on old earthworks called it a "natural island fortress." The entire top of the hill is surrounded by a single wall made of stones and earth.
What is a Hillfort?
A hillfort is a type of fort built on a hill. People in the Iron Age (around 800 BC to AD 100) built these forts. They used the natural height of the hill for protection. Hillforts were often used as safe places for communities. They could also be used for trading or as important meeting spots.
The Fort's Defenses
The Dundon Hill Hillfort covers an area of about 5 hectares (12 acres). It is protected by a single bank, which is like a wall of earth and stones. This bank is between 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) and 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) high. However, some parts of the site have been damaged over time. This damage happened because of quarrying, which is when stones are dug out of the ground.
Clues from the Past
Archaeologists have found many interesting items at Dundon Hill. They discovered pieces of flint, which is a type of stone used for tools. They also found pottery from both the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. These finds help us understand who lived here and how they lived. All these ancient objects are now kept safe at the Museum of Somerset.
