MAIDEN CASTLE

Dorset

Maiden Castle is truly, unarguably, astounding. It is incredible to think that these banks and ditches, enclosing an astonishing 47 acres and to heights in places of 50 feet, were dug by men over 2000 years ago using small hand implements.

The first phase of building occurred around 350 BC, this was in the form of one big ring around the hill (which had a fence on top of it and huts inside as was the manner with all Iron Age Hill Forts).  A few years later the extra ramparts and the first gateway area was constructed. Around 150 BC the height of the ramparts was increased.  100 BC saw the construction of the elaborate gateway area, the most complex Iron Age structure in the country.

In AD44 Vespasian arrived with the Eleventh Legion and stormed the Castle in what must have been the hardest struggle of the whole campaign. As was usual, the Britons were all massacred and buried inside the Castle's walls.  Many hundreds of skeletons were discovered during excavations.

The Romans stayed here until quite late into their occupation of Britain. A temple was built to Minerva inside the Fort, the remains of which can be found today...but nothing can detract from the sheer hugeness of this place.  Who needs stonework when you can have a place like this!

If you're ever near Dorchester - go to Maiden Castle, you simply can't fail to be awed.

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2019