Elborough Hill facts for kids

Elborough Hill is an ancient hill fort from the Iron Age. It is located in Somerset, England. This historic site is about 1.2 miles (2 km) east of Hutton. It is also about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Elborough village.

The fort is shaped like an oval. It has strong earth walls. On its northern side, there are three large banks. The southern side has two banks that curve outwards. These banks helped protect the people inside.

What is a Hill Fort?

Hill forts are ancient settlements. People built them on hills. They were common in Britain during the Late Bronze Age. This was also the Early Iron Age. This time period was around 1000 BC.

Historians and archaeologists still discuss why these forts were built. Some think they were military sites. They might have been built to defend against invaders. Others believe they were built by invaders themselves.

Why Were Hill Forts Built?

Another idea is that hill forts were built due to social changes. The population was growing. This put pressure on farming and resources. People might have needed safe places during conflicts.

The use of iron also changed society. Iron ore was found in different places than tin and copper. These metals were used to make bronze. This shift changed trade routes. Old leaders lost their power. New groups of people became important.

Archaeologist Barry Cunliffe suggests that more people meant more stress. This stress could lead to fighting. Hill forts offered a safe place for communities. They were strongholds during tense times. Some forts were attacked and destroyed. But defense was not their only purpose.