By approximately 1000 B.C., the era of tranquillity from the past was slowly fading away. A new period of unrest was on the rise, leading to the transformation of traditional open farmsteads into fortified settlements. The necessity to defend these settlements likely arose due to the intensifying conflicts over the fertile lowlands. These disputes were possibly triggered by the deteriorating climate, which may have forced many inhabitants to migrate from the once habitable uplands and vie with each other for control over the coveted lowlands. In South Wales this was probably further complicated by widespread flooding of the low lying Gwent Levels.
The Silures, were a people who were likely governed by a warrior aristocracy and were later described by the Roman historian Tacitus as having a distinctive appearance of being “ruddy faced and curly haired”. Over the next five centuries, the Silures constructed fortified hillforts. These hillforts were defended by earthen banks and ditches, with a timber palisade on top. Inside, there may have been small Iron Age “villages”. It is unlikely that the Silures permanently resided in these hillforts, as they likely coexisted with simpler, defended or undefended farmsteads and settlements in the area.
The Silures were known for their extensive trading activities, involving a wide range of goods. Their flourishing trade network extended at least as far as Rome, allowing for the exchange of luxury items. It was common for the ruling aristocracy to have luxury goods buried with them in their graves, possibly as a symbol of their wealth and social status, ensuring that their cherished possessions would accompany them to the afterlife. Interestingly, the graves themselves were usually modest in appearance, indicating a departure from the earlier practice of constructing cairns or elaborate burial mounds.
Excavations have shown that interiors of hillforts were often dominated by groups of post holes, which define Roundhouses. They also contain a large number of four post structures which are interpreted as granaries.
Hillforts by County
In Caerphilly County Borough
- Coed Craig Ruperra ***
- Twmbarlwm ***
City and County of Cardiff
Bridgend County Borough
- Cae Summerhouse Camp
- Chapel Hill Camp, Merthyr Mawr House
- Coed-y-Mwstwr
- Cwm Llwyd
- Mynydd y Gaer
- Mynydd Twmpathyddaer
- Pen y Castell, Kenfig Hill
- Y Bwlwarcau
- Y Bwlwarcau, Eastern Enclosure
Monmouthshire
- Llanmelin Wood Camp ***
- Skirrid Fawr Defended Enclosure **
- Cae Camp
- Blackcliff Wood Camp
- Bishop Barnet’s Wood Camp
- Bulwarks Camp, Chepstow
- Coed y Bwnydd Camp
- Gaer Hill Fort, Trellech
- Gaer Fawr Camp, Llangwm
- Gaer Hill Camp, Penterry
- Great House Camp
- Llancayo Camp / Camp Wood
- Sudbrook Camp
- Larches Camp
- Twyn y Gaer, Llanfihangel Crucorney
Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Caerau Hillfort, Llantrisant ***
- Craig y Ddinas Hillfort (Ystradfellte)
- Gwersyll Hillfort
- Lle’r Gaer Enclosure
- Maendy Camp
Swansea and Gower
- Berry Wood
- Bishopston Valley Camp
- Burry Holms
- Carn Nicholas
- Cilifor Top
- Crawley Rocks, Nicholston Burrows
- Deborah’s Hole Camp
- Fforestnewydd
- Graig Fawr, Pontardulais
- Gron Gaer
- Harding’s Down West Camp
- Harding’s Down, East Camp
- Harding’s Down, North Camp
- Hen Gastell, Pen-Clawdd
- High Pennard
- Horse Cliff Camp
- Lewes Castle Promontory Fort, Rhossili
- Llanddewi, Port Eynon
- Llwynheiernin
- Maiden Castle, Oxwich
- Old Castle Promontory Fort, Rhossili
- Pen-y-gaer, Pen-clawdd
- Redley Cliff Camp
- Reynoldston Camp
- Stembridge Hillfort
- The Bulwark, Llanmadoc Hill
- Thurba Head
- Tor-Gro
- Willoxton Cwm
- Worm’s Head
- Yellow Top, Paviland
Vale of Glamorgan
- Dinas Powys Hillfort ***
- Dunraven Hillfort **
- Cwm Bach, Wick **
- Nash Point Camp **
- Sully Island **
- The Bulwarks, Porthkerry **
- Bonvilston Gaer
- Caer Dynnaf hillfort
- Castell Moel hillfort
- Castle Ditches Hillfort
- Craig Tan-y-Lan
- Llanvithyn Camp
- Llanquian Wood Camp
- Llantrithyd Camp
- Mynydd-y-Fforest
Newport