Mai-Dun

Mai-Dun, also known as Maiden Castle, is an Iron Age hillfort located in the English county of Dorset, approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southwest of Dorchester. It is one of the largest and most complex hillforts in Europe, encompassing an area of 47 acres (19 hectares).

Description:

Maiden Castle's massive ramparts and ditches are a testament to sophisticated engineering and the organized labor of its builders. The site was occupied intermittently from the Neolithic period (around 4000 BC) onwards, but its major phase of construction and occupation occurred during the Iron Age (from around 600 BC). The hillfort's defenses consist of multiple concentric ramparts and ditches, designed to protect the inhabitants from attack. There are two entrances, at the east and west ends of the site, which are complex and heavily defended.

History and Archaeology:

Archaeological excavations, notably those conducted by Sir Mortimer Wheeler in the 1930s, have revealed a wealth of information about the history of Maiden Castle. These excavations uncovered evidence of roundhouses, storage pits, and other structures within the hillfort's interior. Skeletons bearing signs of violent death were also found, suggesting that the site was the scene of conflict. Wheeler interpreted this as evidence of a Roman attack during the Roman conquest of Britain in the 1st century AD, although the interpretation of this evidence has been debated by later archaeologists.

The site was occupied by the Durotriges, a Celtic tribe, before the Roman invasion. After the Roman conquest, Maiden Castle was largely abandoned, although there is evidence of some Roman activity on the site.

Significance:

Maiden Castle is a significant archaeological site that provides valuable insights into the lives and culture of the Iron Age people who inhabited Britain. Its size and complexity demonstrate the advanced engineering skills of its builders, and the artifacts found at the site provide a glimpse into their daily lives, beliefs, and social organization. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is managed by English Heritage.

Further Reading:

• Wheeler, R. E. M. (1943). Maiden Castle, Dorset. Society of Antiquaries.
• Sharples, N. (1991). Maiden Castle. Batsford/English Heritage.