Cannington Camp, Iron Age hill fort in Cannington, England
Cannington Camp is an Iron Age fortification on a hilltop with square-shaped ramparts enclosing about 5 hectares of land. The site sits 80 meters above the surrounding Somerset landscape and clearly shows the earthwork defenses that once protected this position.
The fortification began as an Iron Age settlement and later served as a burial ground during the late Roman period. Excavations uncovered stone tools from the Mesolithic era along with Bronze Age implements, showing occupation across thousands of years.
The burial ground reflects Christian practices from the late Roman and Saxon periods, with graves oriented east-west showing how religious beliefs shaped the use of this place. The cemetery reveals how the hilltop served as a sacred space for communities across several centuries.
The northern section shows signs of quarrying from past centuries that have altered the original shape of the earthworks. Wear sturdy shoes and prepare for uneven terrain, as the hilltop can be muddy and the ground varies in difficulty across the site.
The site may be linked to the Battle of Cynwit in 878 AD, when Saxon forces fought Viking invaders in the region. If true, this hilltop might have served as a strategic refuge during a pivotal moment in local history.
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