Quarley Hill facts for kids
Quarley Hill
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 Location in Hampshire
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| Location | Hampshire |
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| Coordinates | 51°10′47″N 1°37′34″W / 51.1796°N 1.6260°W |
| Area | 5 acres |
| History | |
| Periods | Iron Age |
| Site notes | |
| Public access | on private farmland, but a public footpath passes close by to the south |
Quarley Hill is an ancient hill fort located in Hampshire, southern England. It was built during the Iron Age, a time when people used iron tools and weapons. From the top of Quarley Hill, you can see amazing views of the land around it.
This old fort is shaped like an oval. It is still in good condition today. You can clearly see its outer banks and ditches, which helped protect the people inside. There are also clear entrances on the northeast and southwest sides.
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History of Quarley Hill
Long before the hill fort was built, there was an even older fenced area on this spot. This shows that people lived here for a very long time.
Life in the Bronze Age
Archaeologists have found signs of human activity from the Bronze Age (a time before the Iron Age). They found four large ditches that spread out from the hill fort. Experts believe these ditches were part of a Bronze Age farm. About a mile north of the fort, there is also a barrow cemetery. A barrow is a mound of earth built over a burial site.
Roman Times at Quarley
Later, during the Roman period, people also lived near Quarley Hill. In 1951, archaeologists found Roman coins and pieces of pottery on the northeast side of the hill. Some of these coins were from Roman emperors like Maximinus II and Constantine the Great.
Quarley Hill Today
Today, the old ditches and banks of the fort are mostly clear. The middle part of the site is covered with small trees and bushes. Quarley Hill is a protected site, known as a scheduled ancient monument. This means it is an important historical place that must be preserved.
The fort is also part of a special natural area called Quarley Hill Fort. This area is protected because of its important wildlife and plants.
Where is Quarley Hill Located?
Quarley Hill is found southeast of the village of Quarley. It is also north of the village of Grateley in the county of Hampshire. An old Roman road called the Port Way passes just south of the hill. The very top of Quarley Hill is 172 meters (about 564 feet) above sea level.
