Maiden Castle, Iron Age hillfort in Winterborne St Martin, Dorset, England.
Maiden Castle is a hillfort in Winterborne St Martin, Dorset, England. The ramparts and ditches run in concentric rings around the summit, creating a pattern that is still visible from ground level and from the air.
The site began as a small earthwork during the Neolithic period and grew into a major fortification during the Iron Age. Roman conquest ended its use as a defended settlement, and a small temple was later built within its boundaries.
The site features remnants of a Romano-British temple constructed around 400 CE, which incorporated worship of multiple deities including Diana and Minerva.
The walk to the site crosses open grassland with steep slopes, and sturdy footwear is recommended. A visit usually takes one to two hours, depending on how much time you spend exploring the ramparts and ditches.
Excavations after the Second World War uncovered traces of a siege, including skeletons showing injuries from Roman weapons. The finds show the violent transition from Iron Age control to Roman rule.
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