Grabbist Hillfort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grabbist Hillfort |
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| Location | Somerset, England |
| Built | During the Iron Age |
| Architectural style(s) | British pre-Roman Architecture |
| Official name: Grabbist | |
| Designated | August 11, 2003 |
| Reference no. | 36851 |
Grabbist Hillfort is an ancient site from the Iron Age in Somerset, England. It is located west of Dunster. Experts believe it was either a hillfort or a protected enclosure.
Contents
Grabbist Hillfort: An Ancient Mystery
Grabbist Hillfort is a fascinating place that tells us about life long ago. It was built during the Iron Age, a time when people started using iron tools. This period was from about 800 BC to 100 AD.
What is a Hillfort?
A hillfort is a type of ancient settlement or fort. It was usually built on top of a hill. People used the natural height of the hill for defense. They often added strong walls, ditches, and banks around the settlement. These structures helped protect the people and their animals from enemies.
Exploring Grabbist Hillfort
Grabbist Hillfort is shaped like an oval. It was designed to be a very strong defensive spot. The people who lived there used the land to their advantage.
How Big Was It?
The site is quite large. It measures about 270 meters (886 feet) long. It is also about 67 meters (220 feet) wide. Imagine a space almost the length of three football fields!
Strong Defenses
The hillfort was surrounded by several layers of protection. There was a large bank, which is like a raised wall of earth. This bank was about 3 meters (10 feet) high. Outside of this, there was a deep ditch. This ditch could be up to 10 meters (33 feet) wide. It was also about 2 meters (7 feet) deep.
On the northern and western sides, there was an extra bank. This made the northeastern part of the hillfort the strongest. Over many years, farming has changed some parts of the site. Some of the original features, like a possible inner wall, might have been damaged. Some experts think the hillfort was never fully finished.
The "Giant's Chair"
Just below the main hillfort site, there is a special area. It is known as the "Giant's Chair." This is a natural dip in the ground. It was formed when the land slowly slipped downwards. It's a fun name for a unique part of the landscape!
