Understanding Hillforts in Iron Age Britain

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
7 questions
~14 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

This worksheet explores different interpretations of the purpose of hillforts in Iron Age Britain. Students will analyse contrasting historian views and evaluate their credibility.

Worksheet Preview

Full preview • 7 questions

Understanding Hillforts in Iron Age Britain

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
Name:
Date:
TeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizz

Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Interpretations of Hillforts in Iron Age Britain

Historian A: Professor Jane Williams – Economic Perspective "Professor Williams argues that hillforts primarily served as centers of trade and economic activity. She suggests that their strategic locations facilitated control over resources and trade routes, which boosted local economies. The construction of large, defensible structures indicates a focus on economic power, and artifacts found within hillforts point towards thriving craft industries. Williams emphasizes that hillforts were not just military sites but vital hubs for economic exchange and prosperity during the Iron Age."

Historian B: Dr. Mark Edwards – Social Perspective "Dr. Edwards contends that hillforts were mainly social and communal spaces. He believes they served as symbols of social status and community identity. The layout of many hillforts suggests a focus on social gatherings and ceremonies, rather than solely economic activity. Edwards points to evidence of communal living and shared spaces, arguing that hillforts reinforced social cohesion and served as symbols of tribal identity in Iron Age Britain."

B

Questions

1.
Summarize each historian's view on the purpose of hillforts. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
2.
Compare the reasons why each historian believes hillforts were built. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
3.
Explain which interpretation you find more convincing and why. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
4.
Outline two pieces of evidence that support the idea that hillforts were used for social purposes. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
5.
Describe how the location of hillforts might support either the economic or social view. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
6.
Compare the types of evidence each historian uses to support their argument. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
7.
Evaluate which interpretation is more convincing based on the evidence provided. (8 marks)
[8 marks]

Quick Actions

What is Remix?

Create a new worksheet based on this one. Change the grade level, topic, number of questions, or difficulty - then generate a fresh version.

  • • Change grade level (Grade 6 → Grade 7)
  • • Swap topics (Harry Potter → Macbeth)
  • • Add more questions (10 → 15)
  • • Adjust difficulty

Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet