Why did the Iron Age Celts settle on Hambledon Hill? - page 3
Keywords: History Celts Iron Age Settlements
By Jenny on 02/07/2009
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 3 of 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
a warrior made it up one slope he would then find himself in the ditch of another. The view from the top of the hill was not purely aesthetic in the Iron Age; it was one of their best means of defence because they could see enemies when they were still miles away. There is evidence on the hill of rushed building in the Late Iron Age, to protect themselves against the powerful Roman army. However, even the strongest of ramparts could not protect the Iron Age Celts from the tactics and artillery used against them.
My visit to Hambledon Hill assured me of the spectacular view, and it is easy to see why the Celts would have felt much more safe and protected living on its summit. However, the weather conditons on a hill are hostile, and being constantly windy and usually cold must have been a big drawback to those who lived on the top of the hill permanently. However, as the name 'hill fort' suggests, it was a place for the tribe to retreat to in times of danger, and many of the tribe probably lived and worked in the fields below most of the time. Maiden Castle was very similar to Hambledon Hill in its structure, with huge ramparts protecting the inner enclosure. The lives of the Celts living on Maiden Castle were probably much the same as those living on Hambledon Hill. The Dorset County Museum, which houses many of the objects excavated and found on Maiden Castle and on other local Iron Age hill forts, gave more of an idea of what life was really like in the Iron Age. Evidence of Iron Age huts (207 of which have been identified on Hambledon Hill) showed how much wood the Celts needed for their settlements, and having so much around them, like at Hambledon, would have been a necessity.
In conclusion, the main reasons why the Iron Age Celts decided to settle on Hambledon Hill are the fertile land for grazing and growing crops, the abundant supply of building materials, the instant defence system and a water supply flowing quite close by. Ultimately, they could not protect themselves against the power of the Roman army; but the Durotriges chose one of the safest and most secure sites in the area to accommodate and provide for them.
Bibliography:
School produced booklet, 'Hambledon Hill'
Dorset County Museum
'The Celts' by Robin Place
'History In
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