Maiden Castle Dorset UK

MAIDEN CASTLE DORSET UK
GIANT NEOLITHIC HILLFORT MAIDEN HILL DORSET

MAIDEN CASTLE DORSET UK GIANT NEOLITHIC HILLFORT

Maiden Castle Dorset the Neolithic Hillfort aerial view

Maiden Castle an extremely large and very complex Iron Age hillfort in Dorset UK

It’s made up of huge multiple ramparts and once was home to a few hundred people during the Iron Age (800BC – 43AD)

During the excavations of Maiden Castle it was revealed that occupation on the hilltop dated back to over 6000 years ago around about the Neolithic period.

Maiden Castle Hillfort has been subjected to various extensions on the original Neolithic designs. Extra defences have been added throughout the years.

MAIDEN CASTLE DORSET UK GIANT NEOLITHIC HILLFORT

Maiden Castle Hillfort is a giant Neolithic Hillfort

See the photos of the Maiden Castle ruins of the Roman occupation.

Now taken over by the pretty tame wild sheep that now live in peace around the grounds of Maiden Castle hillfort

The Romans took over Maiden Castle hillfort in AD43 forcing the inhabitants to move to the relatively new town of Dorchester previously known as Durnovaria

MAIDEN CASTLE DORSET UK GIANT NEOLITHIC HILLFORT

Maiden Castle Hillfort is a giant Neolithic Hillfort with two entrances

There are two entrances into Maiden Castle hillfort on the Western and Eastern sides. And after taking a walk up onto the top of the hill, you can see it is a very impressive hillfort.

Attack looks neigh on impossible and people could be closely watched coming in and going out. It was a very hot sunny day when we walked around Maiden Castle hillfort and the wind was very strong. We couldn’t imagine how hard life must have been in Neolithic times for these people living within the security of the hillfort.

MAIDEN CASTLE DORSET UK GIANT NEOLITHIC HILLFORT

Maiden Castle Hillfort is a giant Neolithic Hillfort huge banks

There is rumour that the huge banks and ditches may have been built as a show of strength, after experiencing the extreme weather during a very warm spell, I’m more inclined to believe that the banks were built as a defence against the extreme English weather, to keep the Neolithic residents cosy and protected against wind and rain up on Maiden Castle hillfort Dorset

MAIDEN CASTLE DORSET UK GIANT NEOLITHIC HILLFORT

Maiden Castle Hillfort is a giant Neolithic Hillfort in Dorset

The very rugged landscape at Maiden Castle hillfort Dorset

A turnstile and steps have been added at Maiden Castle to allow the modern day tourists easy access to the hillfort. Modern day centurions are now in the form of the four legged residents, still guarding the hillfort against invasion from two many tourists perhaps!

Remnants remain in the form of rubble of the Roman occupation of Maiden Castle now protected by the local sheep

While one sheep decided to fall in love with the Roman Wall another was more eager to get off the hillfort and out of the strong winds perhaps

MAIDEN CASTLE DORSET UK GIANT NEOLITHIC HILLFORT

Maiden Castle Hillfort is a giant Neolithic Hillfort Dorset UK

Rugged landscape and a burial mound at Maiden Castle hillfort Dorset and the huge mega sized Fortress of Maiden Castle an extremely large and very complex Iron Age hillfort in Dorset UK is made up of huge multiple ramparts and once was home to a few hundred people during the Iron Age (800BC – 43AD)

During the excavations of Maiden Castle it was revealed that occupation on the hilltop dated back to over 6000 years ago around about the Neolithic period.