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First inventory of the hill forts in Breconshire was
published in 1950 by H N Savory. This was partly based on earlier antiquarian
sources notably Theophilus Jones History of Brecknockshire.
Location considerations:
A number of factors contributed to the pattern of
distribution of hill forts in the Brecon Beacons. Generally the very highest ridges are avoided as they would
have presumably been very exposed, would not have been with in a short distance
of a water supply, and the surrounding land would have been unsuitable or less
suitable for cultivation. In a mountainous region such as the Brecon Beacons
even in the milder conditions prevailing in prehistoric times of the higher the
altitude of the shorter the growing season. Where a hilltop location has been
chosen to locate a fort for defensive purposes it is generally the case that
nearby you would also find a good water supply, and adjacent land suitable for
cultivation and grazing. In
addition it is notable that the majority of hill fort enclosures would have
covered an area less than one hectare reinforcing the belief that they served as
fortified homesteads for extended family groups.
The impact of climate:
Mountainous terrain such as the Brecon Beacons will have
the weather patterns that vary in relation to altitude and outlook. Weather
patterns generally and the level of rainfall in particular will also change
throughout the year. Clearly in such a circumstance a prehistoric family would
choose carefully the location of a fortified homestead. It would need to be high enough serve as a defensive position but not so
exposed as to offer poor prospects for cultivation and grazing. it has been
estimated that the growing season at an altitude above 180 m would be
approximately two to four weeks shorter than below that altitude.
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