Reoccupation of Iron Age hill forts in Wales during 5th-6th centuries post-Roman period. In the 5th and 6th centuries, pre-Roman British Iron Age hill forts were rehabitated, reused, and expanded This reoccupation is especially prominent in Wales Archaeological evidence shows abandonment of large estates, but not total collapseāpeople remained but structures were no longer useful for socio-political requirements
After Rome's withdrawal, Welsh aristocrats and military moved into ancient Iron Age hill forts. Objects from abandoned estates appear in these reoccupied forts, showing continuity of power structures in new locations. š°
Key Facts
- In the 5th and 6th centuries, pre-Roman British Iron Age hill forts were rehabitated, reused, and expanded
- This reoccupation is especially prominent in Wales
- Archaeological evidence shows abandonment of large estates, but not total collapseāpeople remained but structures were no longer useful for socio-political requirements
- Objects that had been in estates appear in reoccupied hill forts in the 5th century
- Aristocrats and elements of the military appear to have simply moved to these hill forts
- Stone pillars with Old Irish inscriptions suggest Irish contact, raiding, and warfare
- An Irish kingdom existed in southern Wales around this time
- Small villages were founded and grew at several locations in Wales
- Church sites continued to be important during the immediate post-Roman period
Source: Macsen Wledig & Forgotten Remnant of Roman Britain by The Historian's Craft