Site Section: Vitrified Forts of the World

Dunnideer Fort

The Medieval Castle, the most prominent feature in the hill, stands inside, and is built from the debris of, an oblong vitrified fort, a maximum length approximately 70 m, which crowns the summit. Outworks, most clearly marked on the E, may be associated with this phase.

Craig Phadrig Hill Fort

Craig Phadraig is a hilltop fort within a Forestry Commission plantation, 2.5km west of Inverness. It occupies a position with excelent views over the Beauly Firth.

Clickhimin Broch

Clickhimin Broch, Shetland Islands

This site was occupied in several periods, originally late Bronze age between 700 – 500BC. Firstly a simple farmstead which expanded to a blockhouse (fort) and then by a huge circular broch. A population of around 60 lived in this little fortress. Later, 2nd century occupation is shown when a wheelhouse was added.

Castle Point Fort, Cullykhan, Pennan

10 miles W of Fraserburgh. Access to this promontory fort is by a motorable track N from the B9031, W of the steep-sided valley of the Tore of Troup.

Castercliff Hill Fort

This denuded hillfort is oval and encloses almost two acres. The defences comprise triple circuits of bank and ditch, with scarps representing outworks to the NE. The innermost bank is the slightest and may represent an earlier, univallate fort.

Castle Hill, Almondbury

Castle Hill, Huddersfield

Castle Hill’s imposing silhouette hides a great prehistoric fort, Norman castle and Victorian tower. Thanks to Varley’s trenches and the 1995 RCHME survey we have a solid structural framework, yet key chronological pins, remain to be driven. It is therefore both a celebrated landmark for Huddersfield and a live research asset for Iron-Age, and medieval research.

Arka Unskel hillfort, Highlands

Arka Unskel is 2½ miles ESE of Arisaig at NM693839 and has also been known as Arisaig Fort, Ard Ghaunsgoik and Ard Ghamhgail. Described as on a promontory on the north side of Loch nan Uamh with a heavily vitrified wall.

Vitrified Forts Distribution

hillfort in Highland, Scotland, UK, Rubh' Ard Ghaunsgail

One of the great mysteries of classical archaeology is the spartan worldwide distribution of vitrified forts, except for Scotland and France. However, there are a number in the wider world, especially Europe. Here is the current breakdown

Why Vitrify a Fort?

Tap o' Noth - geograph.org.uk - 93164

Originally, it was thought that the forts had become vitrified due to an enemy attack. A theory proposed by Childe in the 1930 thought it was that it was invaders, not the builders, who were assaulting the forts and then setting fire to the walls with piles of brush and wood

How to Vitrify a Fort

Tap O Noth Hillfort

Vitrified Forts Distribution One of the great mysteries of classical archaeology is the spartan worldwide distribution of vitrified forts, except for Scotland and Read more Why Vitrify a Fort? Originally, it was thought that the forts had become vitrified due to an enemy attack. A theory proposed by Childe Read more Classification of Vitrified Forts …

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