Because of the protruding nature of the site of Maiden Castle it is easy to presume that excavation of the site would not pose much of a problem in regard to finding evidence. Because of the nature of the site and the civilisations that inhabited it this was not the case. After 2000 years of erosion much of the battlements and surrounding evidence had been destroyed. Another problem in discovering evidence was the long periods of use undergone by the site. The site had been occupied by many civilisations including Neolithic, late Stone Age/early Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and possibly Saxon people. Because of the extensive use of the site much valuable information and evidence was destroyed, looted or misplaced.
- Significance of the discovery.
The discovery of Maiden Castle was a huge discovery in the history of early Europe and its progression into modern times. Maiden Castle is the largest known hill fort in Europe and paints a vivid picture about the lives, technologies and cultures of the early Celtic settlement in the British Isles. The evidence uncovered at Maiden Castle gives an indication of the likely militaristic nature of the Iron Age people who constructed the fort as we know it today. The data acquired from the castle also proves and confirms aspects of Roman occupation in Britain and their culture of the time.
- Problems of Reconstructing/Preservation
When it comes to Maiden Castle there has been much disagreement and dispute over what events actually took place there. Mortimer Wheelers excavations led him to develop what was seen as a very elaborate and fictitious story about what occurred when the fort passed hands from the Celtic Durotriges tribe to the Romans. Mortimer’s account was highly fictional involving a extremely vicious Roman massacre of all within the castle setting fire to all buildings and pillaging it to the ground. This reconstruction by Mortimer was challenged by many archaeologists and has since been proven wrong. This raises questions about the credibility of Wheelers work and poses doubts about whether this is truly what Wheeler believed of whether it was done for publicity reasons. Preservation of Maiden Castle was a big issue because of the exposed location of the structure. Maiden Castle has already undergone much degradation and erosion and measure to prevent further destruction of the site were undertaken by the English Heritage Commission.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, “Sir Mortimer Wheeler,” n.d., <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/641690/Sir-Mortimer-Wheeler#ref=ref268941> (23 February 2009)
Encarta Encyclopedia, “Mortimer Wheeler,” 2008,
< http://au.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781531618/Wheeler_Sir_(Robert_Eric)_Mortimer.html>
(24 February 2009)
Steve Roskams, Excavation (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2001) 13.
Encarta Encyclopedia, “Mortimer Wheeler,” 2008,
< http://au.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781531618/Wheeler_Sir_(Robert_Eric)_Mortimer.html>
(24 February 2009)
Steve Roskams, Excavation (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2001) 13.
Mysterious Britain and Ireland, “Maiden Castle,” n.d.,
< http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/dorset/ancient-sites/maiden-castle.html>
(February 2009)
The Heritage Trail, “English Prehistoric Sites - Maiden Castle,” n.d.,
<http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/early%20ages/maiden%20castle.htm>
(22 February 2009)
Historic UK, “Maiden Castle - Iron Age Hill Fort,” n.d.,
<http://www.historic-uk.com/DestinationsUK/MaidenCastle.htm>
(23 February 2009)
Steve Roskams, Excavation (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2001)
Steve Roskams, Excavation (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2001) 15.
Nation Master Encyclopedia, “Maiden Castle,” 2003,
< http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Maiden-Castle>
(23 February 2009)
Historic UK, “Maiden Castle - Iron Age Hill Fort,” n.d.,
<http://www.historic-uk.com/DestinationsUK/MaidenCastle.htm>
(23 February 2009)
