Portfield hillfort, Iron Age hillfort in Whalley, England
Portfield hillfort is an Iron Age fortification in Whalley, Lancashire, positioned on a south-facing promontory with steep natural slopes on its western side. The site is defended by earthen banks and ditches that follow an irregular outline, creating a fortified enclosure.
The site began as a Bronze Age defensive structure and was later reinforced during the Iron Age with additional fortified lines. This evolution reflects how local inhabitants adapted their defensive strategies across multiple centuries.
Archaeological discoveries at the site include a collection of nine Bronze Age artifacts, containing gold jewelry and bronze items found during pipeline construction in 1966.
The site is reached by footpaths from nearby roads, with no visitor facilities on the grounds. Wear sturdy footwear as the terrain is uneven and can become muddy.
Pipeline construction in 1966 uncovered nine Bronze Age objects including gold jewelry and bronze items, revealing that the site was inhabited earlier than the Iron Age fortification. This finding suggests that strategically valuable locations were reused across generations.
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