Moel Arthur facts for kids
Viewed from the south-east
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 Location in Flintshire
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| Location | Near Denbigh, Wales |
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| Coordinates | 53°11′4″N 3°16′50″W / 53.18444°N 3.28056°W |
| Type | Hillfort |
| Length | 160 metres (520 ft) |
| Width | 140 metres (460 ft) |
| Area | 1.8 hectares (4.4 acres) |
| Height | 455.8 metres (1,495 ft) |
| History | |
| Periods | Iron Age |
Moel Arthur is an ancient place in Flintshire, Wales. It is also known as "Arthur's Hill." This site is a type of old fort called a hillfort. It was built a very long time ago, during the Iron Age. This was a time when people used iron tools and weapons.
Moel Arthur sits on a tall hill, about 456 meters (1,496 feet) high. It is part of the Clwydian Range of hills. From the top, you can see the beautiful Vale of Clwyd below. A famous walking path, the Offa's Dyke Path, goes right by the hill. It is also close to another old hillfort called Penycloddiau.
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What Does Moel Arthur Look Like?
The fort itself is shaped like an oval. It is about 160 meters (525 feet) long from north to south. It is also about 140 meters (459 feet) wide from east to west. This area is about the size of two football fields.
To protect the fort, there are two big banks and ditches on the north side. This part of the hill is not as steep. On the other sides, where the hill is very steep, there is just one bank. These banks and ditches were like walls to keep enemies out.
How Did People Get Inside?
The main way into the fort was on the north-east side. This entrance was narrow and twisted. It made it hard for attackers to get in quickly. The simple design of the fort and its entrance suggests it was built very early in the Iron Age.
What Was Inside the Fort?
Inside the strong defenses, there is a rounded top of the hill. On the north and east sides, there is a wide, flat area. People have found signs that buildings once stood here. These were likely homes or other important structures for the people living in the fort.
Discoveries at Moel Arthur
People have explored Moel Arthur to learn more about its past.
Old Digs and Finds
In 1849, a person named Wynne Ffoulkes dug around the site. He found pieces of "coarse red Roman pottery." However, these pieces were not kept, so we don't know for sure if they were Roman or even older. If they were Roman, it would mean people lived here even after the Iron Age. He also found traces of a stone building near the entrance, but it was destroyed during his digging.
Bronze Age Axes
Later, in 1962, something very exciting was found. Three copper axes from the Bronze Age were discovered inside the fort's defenses. The Bronze Age was even older than the Iron Age! This shows that people were in this area long before the fort was built.
