Understanding Iron Age Hillforts: A Practical Guide

Iron Age hillforts are some of the most striking and mysterious monuments in the archaeological landscape. To truly understand these ancient structures, you need to look beyond their massive earthworks and explore how people actually lived, worked, and gathered within them. This course guides you through the practical study of hillforts, from their architectural design to their social and defensive functions. By reading detailed case studies and engaging with written exercises, you will learn how to analyze these prehistoric sites like a modern archaeologist. What you'll learn: 1. Understand the fundamental terminology, timeline, and cultural context of the Iron Age. 2. Analyze the structural design, ramparts, and entranceways of classic hillfort sites. 3. Explore how modern technologies like LiDAR and digital mapping have transformed our understanding of prehistoric landscapes. 4. Evaluate competing archaeological theories regarding defense, trade, ritual, and community gathering. 5. Practice interpreting archaeological survey data and excavation reports through guided written exercises. The course begins by establishing foundational definitions and historical contexts before moving into hands-on techniques for reading the landscape and interpreting archaeological evidence. This program is designed for beginner history enthusiasts, amateur archaeologists, and heritage lovers, requiring no prior background in archaeology. Begin your exploration of the ancient past and learn to read the stories written in the earth.