Castercliff, Iron Age hillfort in Nelson, Lancashire, England
Castercliff is an Iron Age fortification on a hilltop in Nelson, Lancashire, featuring three concentric ramparts made of stone and rubble surrounded by ditches that enclose an oval-shaped enclosed area. The layered defensive structure demonstrates careful planning of the structure by its builders.
Construction of this fortification began around 510 BCE during the Iron Age, though archaeological evidence shows it was never fully completed. The abandonment of the project suggests the settlement may have been relocated or the site lost its strategic importance.
This fortified site served as a defensive structure for Iron Age communities in the region, reflecting their need to protect settlements and control territory. The elevated location made it a symbol of power and strategic control over the surrounding landscape.
Visiting this site requires careful attention due to old mining depressions scattered across the terrain both within and around the fortification. Wear sturdy footwear and watch your footing as the ground is uneven in places.
Despite its elevated position at 280 meters above sea level, excavations in the 1970s revealed no evidence of permanent human occupation on the site. This raises questions about whether the fortification served primarily as a gathering place rather than a residential settlement.
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