Maiden Castle — Inner Rampart East Gate
Mai Dun · Maiden East Gate
Iron Age to Classical (700 BCE–300 CE)·Iron Age fortified culture·🇬🇧 England, Dorset, Dorchester, United Kingdom
About
About Maiden Castle — Inner Rampart East Gate
Maiden Castle — Inner Rampart East Gate in England, Dorset, Dorchester, United Kingdom is a Iron Age to Classical (700 BCE–300 CE) fortress attributed to Iron Age fortified culture. Systematic survey and magnetometry document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal necropolis and ancillary settlement. Dimensions 293m × 84m; area unmeasured ha. Excavation excavated; condition preserved. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Iron Age fortified culture fortress with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 130 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Construction technique
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Elite residence hypothesis
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 600 BCE
- Period
- Iron Age to Classical (700 BCE–300 CE)
- Culture
- Iron Age fortified culture
- Purpose
- Fortified citadel and control point
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 600 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1045 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1936
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
50.6900° N · 2.4700° W · 130 m · 3 mapped features
Principal Monument
structurePrincipal Monument at Maiden Castle — Inner Rampart East Gate — structure with stratified deposits
50.6918° N · 2.4719° WAncillary Complex
complexAncillary Complex at Maiden Castle — Inner Rampart East Gate — complex with stratified deposits
50.6878° N · 2.4700° WOutlier Feature
outlierOutlier Feature at Maiden Castle — Inner Rampart East Gate — outlier with stratified deposits
50.6904° N · 2.4691° W