'A Rocky Place': The complex hillforts of Early Medieval Scotland

The hillfort is predominately viewed as an Iron Age structure, however (re)occupation and de novo constructions began to appear in Scotland between the 5th and 8th centuries AD. The re-emergence of hillforts coincided with drastic upheaval of societal and cultural changes in Early Medieval Scotland and Europe. Based on R.B.K. Stevenson's (1949) definition of the 'nuclear' fort, this book creates the first comprehensive database of sites that have characteristics of the original definition. Excavations in the 1980s proved that some 'nuclear' forts were of Early Medieval date, however, recent excavations suggest that this morphology began sometime in the Middle Iron Age. Few of these sites - just over twenty - have been identified since.

Excavation at six sites in the database took place with radiocarbon dates from each adding to the growing number of radiocarbon dates for these sites. The excavated sites were Craig Rock, Dunmore and Norman's Law in Fife, Mither Tap of Bennachie and Craig Dorney in Aberdeenshire, and Dunsinane Hill in Perth and Kinross. These excavations, along with drone survey and photogrammetry of other forts, shed light on this enigmatic site type. Despite a lack of radiocarbon dates outside of Pictland, new insights and information suggest that the 'nuclear' morphology of hillforts began sometime in the Middle Iron Age and continued through to the Early Medieval period. The author suggests specific attributes that can help distinguish between Iron Age or Early Medieval complex forts.