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Enclosure and Monumentality: Hillforts in British and European Late Prehistory

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Monumentality in Later Prehistory

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Abstract

The later prehistoric hillfort is found across Europe, and it is seen as a vital component in settlement patterns. Whilst a military purpose is often assumed, the investment in their scale of earthworks is seen as socially significant. Two concepts are particularly relevant in analysing these large settlements. The first is that of enclosure, by which the area is defined and contained; enclosure is a frequent prehistoric phenomenon, but rarely on this scale. The second is monumentality in the visually impressive nature of the earthworks; this may be visible in other features such as burial mounds and other ritual structures, but here its role within the hillfort tradition is considered.

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  1. Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

    Harold Mytum

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Mytum, H. (2013). Enclosure and Monumentality: Hillforts in British and European Late Prehistory. In: Monumentality in Later Prehistory. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8027-3_1

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