East Myne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Myne |
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| Location | Minehead, Somerset, England |
| Built | Bronze Age – Iron Age |
| Official name: Croydon Hill | |
East Myne is an ancient site in Somerset, England. It is a type of old fort called a hill fort. This fort was built during the Iron Age, a long time ago.
You can find East Myne about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) west of the town of Minehead. It is located in the West Somerset area. Today, it is also thought to have been a farmstead after the Middle Ages.
Contents
What is a Hill Fort?
A hill fort is a large, old settlement or fortress. It was built on top of a hill. People used the natural shape of the land for protection. They often added ditches and walls made of earth or stone.
When Were Hill Forts Built?
Hill forts became common in Britain during the Late Bronze Age. This was around the start of the first millennium BC. They continued to be used and built into the Early Iron Age.
Why Did People Build Hill Forts?
Historians and archaeologists have different ideas about why hill forts were built.
- For Protection: Some think they were military sites. They might have been built to defend against attacks. These attacks could have come from other groups in Britain. Or, they might have been from people arriving from mainland Europe.
- For Community: Others believe they were more than just forts. They could have been important places for communities. People might have lived there. They could have used them for trading goods. They might also have been places for important meetings or ceremonies.
Life in the Iron Age
The Iron Age brought big changes to Britain. People started using iron instead of bronze. Iron ore was found in different places than tin and copper. These were the metals needed to make bronze.
Because of this, old trading routes changed. Some powerful families might have lost their wealth. New groups of people gained importance.
Archaeologist Barry Cunliffe has studied hill forts. He believes that more people living in Britain also played a role. He suggests that hill forts offered safety when there was conflict. He doesn't think they were only built because of constant war. Instead, they were strongholds that could be used when tensions grew. Some forts were certainly attacked, but this was not their only purpose.
