Discuss why ‘A demographic analysis of Maiden Castle hillfort: Evidence for conflict in the late Iron Age and early Roman period’ is an important archaeological discovery and/or resource. What does it tell us about the past?
A demographic analysis of Maiden Castle Hillfort by Rebecca Redfern and Andrew Chamberlain is an important piece of writing to archaeologists as it uncovers and debates the origin story of a famous archaeological site.
The demographics is defined by statistical data about the characteristics of a population. This informs the researchers of the groups average ages and genders. A demographic analysis is the archaeological technique used to understand the age, sex and racial components of a deceased population and whether …show more content…
This may have been because the hillfort was seen as being a place of importance and power. When the Romans invaded it was most likely extremely important location to conquer in order for them to gain status and power. Maiden castle was an intimidating complex that showed strength and power that intimidated any other tribes thinking of attacking. Though the entrances were seen as a weakness. The Romans had the tools for the job including huge wooden crossbows called ballista’s which could smash any defenses against them. By taking over maiden castle they were then able to control the south, as it is said that the Celts would have lost …show more content…
Many scholars as mentioned by Chamberlain such as Thorpe, Armit, Bishop and Knusel etc. Support the claim that skeletal evidence of violent trauma is the most important evidence for ancient warfare. As discussed in the article written in the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine in 2007 that defense would are common in homicidal death victims as a result of them attempting to ward off harm, with the forearms sustaining injuries in 40.7% of cases. (Mohanty M.K, 2007) This correlates with the findings found at maiden castle “with both sexes sustaining peri-mortem assault injuries to the face, torso and forearms” This is strong evidence for conflict at Maiden castle.
The researcher mentions the osteological work of Morant and Goodman as being a support for the proposition first put forward by Sir Mortimer Wheeler that the Hill fort came under attack in the Roman invasion. In the 1930s, excavations by Sir Mortimer Wheeler uncovered an extensive late Iron Age cemetery of more than 52 burials. Some of the male skeletons from this cemetery displayed horrific injuries. These injuries may be in correlation to the invasion of the