Iron Age Hillfort Defences and the Tactics of Sling Warfare.
Robertson, Peter.
Iron Age Hillfort Defences and the Tactics of Sling Warfare. - 1st ed. - 1 online resource (146 pages)
Front Cover -- Contents -- Copyright Information -- List of Figures -- Abstract -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Chapter 1: Introduction -- (from Cunliffe 2005, figure 15.1, 348 -- by kind permission of Barry Cunliffe). -- Figure 1. Distribution of Larger Hillforts in Southern Britain -- Chapter 2: Iron Age Hillfort Defences -- Distinguishing Hillforts and Hillfort Defences -- Hillfort Investigations -- Development of Hillforts during the Iron Age -- General Pattern of Hillfort Development -- Development of the Defences -- Variations -- Entrances -- Variations -- Guard Chambers -- Bridges and Towers -- Entrances without Gates -- Exposure of Unshielded Side -- Hod Hill -- The Function of Hillfort Defences -- Warfare at Hillforts -- (reproduced by kind permission of the Society of Antiquaries of London, from Wheeler 1943, Plate CIV, A -- © reserved). -- Figure 2. Hoard of 22260 Sling-stones at Maiden Castle -- (from Cunliffe 2005 figure 15.28: 389 -- by kind permission of Barry Cunliffe). -- Figure 3. Concentration of Hillfort Use in Middle and Later Iron Age -- (from Dyer 1981, figure 7: 41 -- by kind permission of Ann Boddy). -- Figure 4. Timber Box Rampart Constructions -- (from Dyer 1981, figure 8: 42 -- by kind permission of Ann Boddy). -- Figure 5. Glacis-style Rampart -- Figure 6. Stone Defences at Tre'r Ceiri. -- (from Fox, Quinnell and Rouillard 1987: 2 -- copyright Devon Archaeological Society). -- (from Weir 2013, by kind permission of Anthony Weir). -- Figure 7. Chevaux-de-Frise at Dun Aengus, Co. Galway -- Figure 8. Milber Down Multiple Enclosure Hillfort -- (from Cunliffe 2005 figure 15.12: 370 -- by kind permission of Barry Cunliffe). -- Figure 9. Three In-Turned Entrances -- Figure 10. Remains of Stone-Wall Entrance Passage at Maiden Castle, Swaledale. -- (from Cunliffe 2005, figure 15.13, 371. by kind permission of Barry Cunliffe). -- Figure 11. Five Developed Entrances -- (© Historic England). -- Figure 12. Maiden Castle, Dorset, Showing Multivallate Defences and the Western Entrance -- Figure 13. Rampart Kink Suggesting Blocked Entrance at Cadbury, Devon. -- (© Crown copyright. HE). -- Figure 14. Aerial Photograph of Hod Hill from the East -- (courtesy of David Stewart). -- Figure 15. Geophysical Survey of Hod Hill Interior -- (from Richmond 1968, figure 66 -- © The Trustees of the British Museum). -- Figure 16. Development of Hod Hill Defences -- (adapted from Richmond 1968, figure 65 -- © The Trustees of the British Museum). -- Figure 17. Section of Northern Defences of Hod Hill -- Figure 18. Enclosed Hilltop above Ramparts at Hambledon Hill. -- (from Hill 1996 figure 8.10: 110 -- by kind permission of JD Hill). -- Figure 19. The Orientation of 75 Hillfort Entrances in Southern England -- (from Harrison 2011 -- by kind permission of Alex Johnson). -- Chapter 3: The Sling and Sling Warfare -- Construction and Operation of Slings -- Shot -- Archaeological Evidence -- Sling-stones -- Skeletal Trauma -- Slings -- Uses of Slings -- Range of Slings -- Effect of Sling Hits -- Accuracy -- Tactics of Sling Warfare -- Figure 20. Reproduction Plaited Sling -- (courtesy of Sami Taha, Biblical Artifacts, Jerusalem). -- (reproduced by kind permission of the Society of Antiquaries of London, from Wheeler 1943, Plate CIV, B -- © reserved). -- Figure 21. Roman Biconical Shot -- Figure 22. Hoard of Sling-stones near Eastern Entrance of Maiden Castle -- (from Poole 1984, figure 7.44, 399 -- by kind permission of Cynthia Poole and Barry Cunliffe). -- Figure 23. Clay Shot from Danebury -- (from Mould et al. 2003, figure 1729: 3408 -- . © York Archaeological Trust). -- Figure 24. Leather Panels from Medieval York -- (courtesy of Jon Finney). Figure 25. Sling-Stone Trajectories Plotted against Hillfort Profiles -- (courtesy of Margaret Brown Vega). -- Figure 26. Peruvian Slinger in Trials Reported by Brown Vega and Craig (2009) -- (from Cichorius 1896, Plate XLVII). -- Figure 27. Roman Auxiliary Slinger on Trajan's Column -- Chapter 4: Background to the Experiment -- Figure 28. High Dump Glacis Rampart at Hambledon Hill. -- (courtesy of Jon Finney). -- Figure 29. Sling-stone Trajectories Plotted against the Northern Defences of Hod Hill -- Chapter 5: The Experiment -- Approach -- Practical Issues -- Availability and Skills of Participants -- Sling-stones -- Weather -- Phased Approach -- Experiment Method -- Experimental Conditions and Variables -- Excluded Conditions -- Measurements -- Site -- Survey -- Participants -- Casting Style -- Experience of Slingers -- Repeated Measures Design -- Equipment -- Slings -- Sling-stones -- Target -- Signals and Notices -- Procedure -- Safety and Ethics -- Results -- Qualitative Results and Observations -- Approximate Accuracy and Range -- Downhill and Uphill Slinging -- Slinging from Sloping Stances -- Slinging Styles -- Accuracy and Timing Results -- Key to Abbreviations and Graphs of Results -- Summary Statistics -- Attack Versus Defence -- Univallate Versus Bivallate -- Correlations -- Distance to Target -- Analysis of Variance -- Effectiveness of Hits -- Effective Range -- Time Required to Assault the Defences -- Tactical Analysis -- Scenario 1: Direct Assault by Small Group of Attackers -- Probability of Being Hit during an Assault -- Other Factors -- Scenario 2: Barrage from the Edge of the Defences -- Defensive Reinforcements -- Slinging Effectiveness -- Scenario 3: Two-Stage Assault and Defence of Bivallate Defences -- Assaults on Entrances -- Surprise or Diversionary Tactics. (map created using OS VectorMap® Local, reproduced under OS Open Data Licence). -- Figure 30. Location Map for Hod Hill -- (© Historic England). -- Figure 31. Aerial View of Hod Hill from the West -- Experiment Site is Bottom-Left -- Figure 32. Inner Rampart and Ditch of Hod Hill, Seen from Outer Rampart. -- (plan created using OS VectorMap® Local, reproduced under OS Open Data Licence). -- Figure 33. Plan of North-West Section of Hod Hill, Showing Slinging Lines -- (vertical scale exaggerated). -- Figure 35. Bivallate Profile and Slinging Positions -- Figure 36. Repeated Measures Experimental Design. -- Figure 37. Andean Sling. -- Figure 38. Modern Sling Similar to One Used in the Experiment. -- Figure 39. Staff Sling. -- Figure 40. Selection of Sling-stones. -- Figure 41. Comparison of Air-Dried Clay (Bottom Row) and Other Types of Shot. -- Figure 42. Target (metre rule on left). -- Figure 43. Target on Inner Face of Outer Rampart, Guyed Upright. -- Figure 44. Overall Slinging Results by Participant. -- Figure 45. Sling-stone Holes in Medium-Density Target. -- Figure 46. Table of Abbreviations Used in Results Charts. -- Figure 47. Legend for Results Charts. -- Figure 48. Average Hit Rates by Condition (percentages). -- Figure 49. Overall Hits by Position, All Participants. -- Figure 50. Time for Six Casts, by Participant and Position. -- Figure 51. Univallate Hit Rates, All Participants. -- Figure 52. Bivallate Hit Rates, All Participants. -- Figure 53. Defending Hit Rates, Participant 1-1D. -- Figure 54. Attacking Hit Rates, Participant 1-1D. -- Figure 55. Probability of Hit on Inner Target versus Distance, All Participants. -- Figure 56. Probability of Total Hits versus Distance, All Participants. -- Figure 57. Probability of Total Hits versus Distance, Participant 1-1D. -- Figure 58. Statistical Significance Summary from ANOVA. Figure 60. Individual Hits for Scenario 1. -- Figure 61. Defensive Advantage, Shown as Ratio and Difference in Hits per Man, for Scenario 1. -- Figure 62. Hits per Individual in Grouped Attack and Defence. -- Figure 63. Probability of Attacker Reaching Hand-to-Hand Combat for Three Speed-Tactic Combinations (Defensive Strength Constant). -- for Three Speed-Tactic Combinations, Including Effect of Attacking Shots. -- Figure 64. Probability of Attacker Reaching Hand-to-Hand Combat Distance -- Figure 65. Probability of Attacker Reaching Hand-to-Hand Combat for Selected Slinging Effectiveness Values. -- Figure 66. Results of Barrages. -- Figure 67. Numbers of Attackers or Defenders Left Standing for 24 Rounds of Slinging, for Three Levels of Effectiveness. -- (from Dixon 1994, ill. 185 -- by kind permission of Philip Dixon). -- Figure 68. Phase 3b Entrance at Crickley Hill -- Chapter 6: Discussion -- Functions of Hillforts and Hillfort Defences -- Defensive Features and Characteristics -- Evidence of Other Functions -- Authors' Perspectives and Consensus -- The Experiment and Analysis -- Interpreting the Data -- Representativeness of the Iron Age -- Further Tactical Considerations -- The Nature of Iron Age Warfare -- Figure 69. Southern Defences of Maiden Castle, Swaledale. -- Chapter 7: Conclusions -- Appendix A: Procedure Exhibits AND Experiment Equipment Procedure Exhibits -- Participant Instructions - Introduction -- Safety and Environment Briefing to Participants -- Participant Slinging Instructions -- Data Record Sheet -- Advanced Notice - At Site Entrances -- Warning Notice -- Participant Details Record (1) -- Emergency Instructions -- Safety Analysis and Plan -- Introduction -- Overview of the experiment -- Risk Analysis -- Safety Procedures -- Exhibits -- Review -- Ethics Analysis and Plan -- Introduction -- Overview of the experiment. Ethical Factors Influencing the Experimental Procedures.
Sling accuracy at a hillfort is measured here for the first time, in a controlled experiment comparing attack and defence across single and developed ramparts.
9781784914110
Iron age-Great Britain.
Electronic books.
GN780.22.G7 / .R634 2016
936.1
Iron Age Hillfort Defences and the Tactics of Sling Warfare. - 1st ed. - 1 online resource (146 pages)
Front Cover -- Contents -- Copyright Information -- List of Figures -- Abstract -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Chapter 1: Introduction -- (from Cunliffe 2005, figure 15.1, 348 -- by kind permission of Barry Cunliffe). -- Figure 1. Distribution of Larger Hillforts in Southern Britain -- Chapter 2: Iron Age Hillfort Defences -- Distinguishing Hillforts and Hillfort Defences -- Hillfort Investigations -- Development of Hillforts during the Iron Age -- General Pattern of Hillfort Development -- Development of the Defences -- Variations -- Entrances -- Variations -- Guard Chambers -- Bridges and Towers -- Entrances without Gates -- Exposure of Unshielded Side -- Hod Hill -- The Function of Hillfort Defences -- Warfare at Hillforts -- (reproduced by kind permission of the Society of Antiquaries of London, from Wheeler 1943, Plate CIV, A -- © reserved). -- Figure 2. Hoard of 22260 Sling-stones at Maiden Castle -- (from Cunliffe 2005 figure 15.28: 389 -- by kind permission of Barry Cunliffe). -- Figure 3. Concentration of Hillfort Use in Middle and Later Iron Age -- (from Dyer 1981, figure 7: 41 -- by kind permission of Ann Boddy). -- Figure 4. Timber Box Rampart Constructions -- (from Dyer 1981, figure 8: 42 -- by kind permission of Ann Boddy). -- Figure 5. Glacis-style Rampart -- Figure 6. Stone Defences at Tre'r Ceiri. -- (from Fox, Quinnell and Rouillard 1987: 2 -- copyright Devon Archaeological Society). -- (from Weir 2013, by kind permission of Anthony Weir). -- Figure 7. Chevaux-de-Frise at Dun Aengus, Co. Galway -- Figure 8. Milber Down Multiple Enclosure Hillfort -- (from Cunliffe 2005 figure 15.12: 370 -- by kind permission of Barry Cunliffe). -- Figure 9. Three In-Turned Entrances -- Figure 10. Remains of Stone-Wall Entrance Passage at Maiden Castle, Swaledale. -- (from Cunliffe 2005, figure 15.13, 371. by kind permission of Barry Cunliffe). -- Figure 11. Five Developed Entrances -- (© Historic England). -- Figure 12. Maiden Castle, Dorset, Showing Multivallate Defences and the Western Entrance -- Figure 13. Rampart Kink Suggesting Blocked Entrance at Cadbury, Devon. -- (© Crown copyright. HE). -- Figure 14. Aerial Photograph of Hod Hill from the East -- (courtesy of David Stewart). -- Figure 15. Geophysical Survey of Hod Hill Interior -- (from Richmond 1968, figure 66 -- © The Trustees of the British Museum). -- Figure 16. Development of Hod Hill Defences -- (adapted from Richmond 1968, figure 65 -- © The Trustees of the British Museum). -- Figure 17. Section of Northern Defences of Hod Hill -- Figure 18. Enclosed Hilltop above Ramparts at Hambledon Hill. -- (from Hill 1996 figure 8.10: 110 -- by kind permission of JD Hill). -- Figure 19. The Orientation of 75 Hillfort Entrances in Southern England -- (from Harrison 2011 -- by kind permission of Alex Johnson). -- Chapter 3: The Sling and Sling Warfare -- Construction and Operation of Slings -- Shot -- Archaeological Evidence -- Sling-stones -- Skeletal Trauma -- Slings -- Uses of Slings -- Range of Slings -- Effect of Sling Hits -- Accuracy -- Tactics of Sling Warfare -- Figure 20. Reproduction Plaited Sling -- (courtesy of Sami Taha, Biblical Artifacts, Jerusalem). -- (reproduced by kind permission of the Society of Antiquaries of London, from Wheeler 1943, Plate CIV, B -- © reserved). -- Figure 21. Roman Biconical Shot -- Figure 22. Hoard of Sling-stones near Eastern Entrance of Maiden Castle -- (from Poole 1984, figure 7.44, 399 -- by kind permission of Cynthia Poole and Barry Cunliffe). -- Figure 23. Clay Shot from Danebury -- (from Mould et al. 2003, figure 1729: 3408 -- . © York Archaeological Trust). -- Figure 24. Leather Panels from Medieval York -- (courtesy of Jon Finney). Figure 25. Sling-Stone Trajectories Plotted against Hillfort Profiles -- (courtesy of Margaret Brown Vega). -- Figure 26. Peruvian Slinger in Trials Reported by Brown Vega and Craig (2009) -- (from Cichorius 1896, Plate XLVII). -- Figure 27. Roman Auxiliary Slinger on Trajan's Column -- Chapter 4: Background to the Experiment -- Figure 28. High Dump Glacis Rampart at Hambledon Hill. -- (courtesy of Jon Finney). -- Figure 29. Sling-stone Trajectories Plotted against the Northern Defences of Hod Hill -- Chapter 5: The Experiment -- Approach -- Practical Issues -- Availability and Skills of Participants -- Sling-stones -- Weather -- Phased Approach -- Experiment Method -- Experimental Conditions and Variables -- Excluded Conditions -- Measurements -- Site -- Survey -- Participants -- Casting Style -- Experience of Slingers -- Repeated Measures Design -- Equipment -- Slings -- Sling-stones -- Target -- Signals and Notices -- Procedure -- Safety and Ethics -- Results -- Qualitative Results and Observations -- Approximate Accuracy and Range -- Downhill and Uphill Slinging -- Slinging from Sloping Stances -- Slinging Styles -- Accuracy and Timing Results -- Key to Abbreviations and Graphs of Results -- Summary Statistics -- Attack Versus Defence -- Univallate Versus Bivallate -- Correlations -- Distance to Target -- Analysis of Variance -- Effectiveness of Hits -- Effective Range -- Time Required to Assault the Defences -- Tactical Analysis -- Scenario 1: Direct Assault by Small Group of Attackers -- Probability of Being Hit during an Assault -- Other Factors -- Scenario 2: Barrage from the Edge of the Defences -- Defensive Reinforcements -- Slinging Effectiveness -- Scenario 3: Two-Stage Assault and Defence of Bivallate Defences -- Assaults on Entrances -- Surprise or Diversionary Tactics. (map created using OS VectorMap® Local, reproduced under OS Open Data Licence). -- Figure 30. Location Map for Hod Hill -- (© Historic England). -- Figure 31. Aerial View of Hod Hill from the West -- Experiment Site is Bottom-Left -- Figure 32. Inner Rampart and Ditch of Hod Hill, Seen from Outer Rampart. -- (plan created using OS VectorMap® Local, reproduced under OS Open Data Licence). -- Figure 33. Plan of North-West Section of Hod Hill, Showing Slinging Lines -- (vertical scale exaggerated). -- Figure 35. Bivallate Profile and Slinging Positions -- Figure 36. Repeated Measures Experimental Design. -- Figure 37. Andean Sling. -- Figure 38. Modern Sling Similar to One Used in the Experiment. -- Figure 39. Staff Sling. -- Figure 40. Selection of Sling-stones. -- Figure 41. Comparison of Air-Dried Clay (Bottom Row) and Other Types of Shot. -- Figure 42. Target (metre rule on left). -- Figure 43. Target on Inner Face of Outer Rampart, Guyed Upright. -- Figure 44. Overall Slinging Results by Participant. -- Figure 45. Sling-stone Holes in Medium-Density Target. -- Figure 46. Table of Abbreviations Used in Results Charts. -- Figure 47. Legend for Results Charts. -- Figure 48. Average Hit Rates by Condition (percentages). -- Figure 49. Overall Hits by Position, All Participants. -- Figure 50. Time for Six Casts, by Participant and Position. -- Figure 51. Univallate Hit Rates, All Participants. -- Figure 52. Bivallate Hit Rates, All Participants. -- Figure 53. Defending Hit Rates, Participant 1-1D. -- Figure 54. Attacking Hit Rates, Participant 1-1D. -- Figure 55. Probability of Hit on Inner Target versus Distance, All Participants. -- Figure 56. Probability of Total Hits versus Distance, All Participants. -- Figure 57. Probability of Total Hits versus Distance, Participant 1-1D. -- Figure 58. Statistical Significance Summary from ANOVA. Figure 60. Individual Hits for Scenario 1. -- Figure 61. Defensive Advantage, Shown as Ratio and Difference in Hits per Man, for Scenario 1. -- Figure 62. Hits per Individual in Grouped Attack and Defence. -- Figure 63. Probability of Attacker Reaching Hand-to-Hand Combat for Three Speed-Tactic Combinations (Defensive Strength Constant). -- for Three Speed-Tactic Combinations, Including Effect of Attacking Shots. -- Figure 64. Probability of Attacker Reaching Hand-to-Hand Combat Distance -- Figure 65. Probability of Attacker Reaching Hand-to-Hand Combat for Selected Slinging Effectiveness Values. -- Figure 66. Results of Barrages. -- Figure 67. Numbers of Attackers or Defenders Left Standing for 24 Rounds of Slinging, for Three Levels of Effectiveness. -- (from Dixon 1994, ill. 185 -- by kind permission of Philip Dixon). -- Figure 68. Phase 3b Entrance at Crickley Hill -- Chapter 6: Discussion -- Functions of Hillforts and Hillfort Defences -- Defensive Features and Characteristics -- Evidence of Other Functions -- Authors' Perspectives and Consensus -- The Experiment and Analysis -- Interpreting the Data -- Representativeness of the Iron Age -- Further Tactical Considerations -- The Nature of Iron Age Warfare -- Figure 69. Southern Defences of Maiden Castle, Swaledale. -- Chapter 7: Conclusions -- Appendix A: Procedure Exhibits AND Experiment Equipment Procedure Exhibits -- Participant Instructions - Introduction -- Safety and Environment Briefing to Participants -- Participant Slinging Instructions -- Data Record Sheet -- Advanced Notice - At Site Entrances -- Warning Notice -- Participant Details Record (1) -- Emergency Instructions -- Safety Analysis and Plan -- Introduction -- Overview of the experiment -- Risk Analysis -- Safety Procedures -- Exhibits -- Review -- Ethics Analysis and Plan -- Introduction -- Overview of the experiment. Ethical Factors Influencing the Experimental Procedures.
Sling accuracy at a hillfort is measured here for the first time, in a controlled experiment comparing attack and defence across single and developed ramparts.
9781784914110
Iron age-Great Britain.
Electronic books.
GN780.22.G7 / .R634 2016
936.1