Hod Hill

Hod Hill (sometimes Hodd Hill) is one of the largest hill forts in Dorset, England, situated in the Blackmore Vale five miles north east of Blandford Forum. The 22 hectare fort sits on a Chalk hill that is detached from the Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase and stands out in the low, flat vale, beside Hambledon Hill, a slightly larger hill, which also has a hill fort, just to the north.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The hill was first fortified by the Celtic Durotriges in the iron age with three massive earthwork ramparts, the settlers using the hill for defence and the vale for agriculture. The hill was captured in AD 43 by the Roman second legion, led by Vespasian, who had already captured Maiden Castle and other hill forts to the south. 11 iron ballista bolts have been found on the hill, but there are no other signs of a struggle, suggesting the Durotriges surrendered to the superior Roman army early. The Romans further fortified and built a settlement in one corner of the original fort.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Today the hill is an important calcareous grassland habitat.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hill fort: The term hill fort is commonly used by archeologists to describe fortified enclosures located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. This fortification consists of one or more circular or sub-circular earth or stone ramparts, often with external ditches, following the contours of th...

Dorset: Dorset (pronounced Dorsit, sometimes in the past called Dorsetshire) is a county in the southwest of England, on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester, situated in the south of the county at . Between its extreme points Dorset measures 50 miles (80 km) from east to west and 40 mil...

England: :For an explanation of often confusing terms like England, (Great) Britain and United Kingdom see British Isles (terminology)....

Hod Hill related Images and Photos (experimental)

Hill Oak	Hill Tree	Hill Tree	Hill Side I
Faith Hill: Fireflies	Faith Hill: Fireflies	Damon Hill	Grant Hill
Benny Hill	Benny Hill	Button Hill	Silent Hill