Prehistory Prideaux Castle

1 prehistory

1.1 bronze age
1.2 iron age
1.3 romano-british period

prehistory
bronze age

the earliest occupation in vicinity of site dates bronze age. cornwall has functioned continuously since high antiquity centre of tin mining , trade, tin being essential ingredient of bronze. fort situated not far ancient trade route later became known saints way; here tin traded far levant.

the central role of tin mining in local economy seem have continuity leading stannary pridias , in later times 1 of tithings (administrative districts) of blackmoor stannary, centered @ nearby hensbarrow beacon, records stored @ church in luxulyan.

see mining in cornwall , devon

iron age

without dateable artifacts, hillfort nonetheless assigned iron age of pre-roman britain on basis of general form. because enclosed area less 1 ha, classified small multivallate hillfort , resembling others of type.

small multivallate hillforts regarded settlements of high status, occupied on permanent basis during iron age. recent interpretations stress construction of multiple earthworks may have ostentation , display, defence.

romano-british period

there no physical evidence structure ever built upon site subsequent iron age. may have been used temporary camp romans or english civil war forces, example, castle dore. however, archaeological evidence later period absent.

most small multivallate hillforts seem have been constructed between 4th , 2nd centuries bc. few examples, such caburn, built later, during 1st century bc. on many sites abandonment seems have occurred during 1st century bc, while on others occupation persisted until mid-first century ad.

the western branch of bronze age trade route later known saint s way passes foot of hill on fort situated, less 100 m away on southwest slope. local legend have tin merchant joseph of arimathea passed way boy jesus on pilgrimage glastonbury. cross in nearby fowey memorializes legend.

on clear day looking in east-southeasterly direction fort, might possible see castle dore, more well-known hillfort situated @ distance of approximately 5 km (3 mi), crow flies, mentioned below. castle dore has been traditionally assigned mark of cornwall, husband of iseult, in arthurian cycle. there monument believed refer tristan ( drustanus ) in nearby fowey @ grid reference sx112521.