How Brutal was The Roman Invasion?

Massive Thanks to Miles Russell for his assistance via his study and work on the Durotriges Project. (To be clear this production is my own interpretation and not the words of Miles - all that said, without the work of Miles and his colleagues we would not have the knowledge we do today, so go check out the links here):
Link here: www.bournemouth.ac.uk/researc...
Twitter and Facebook: @ - Durotrigesdig
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @pwhitewick
Welcome to this weeks video when we take a look at Maiden Castle and its fascinating History. Mortimer Wheeler plays a huge part in this story, perhaps the modern day influencer!
Usual notices:
1. We are not historians. We enjoy researching and learning, and with that we enjoy sharing our journeys with you. That said, sources for information often listed below with credits.
2. Errors. Whilst we make every attempt to not include any errors, research, and piecing stories together from dozens of sources sometimes leads to one or two. I will note here if any are found:
Credit and Thanks
Miles Russell's Report: www.researchgate.net/publicat...
Mortimer Wheeler Report: library.oapen.org/handle/20.5...
Paul Birbeck - Thumbnail
Filter: Snowman Digital and Beachfront B-Roll
Maps: Google Maps
Maps: National Library of Scotland
Maps: OS Maps. Media License.
Stock Footage: Storyblocks
Music: Storyblocks
All pictures: Creative Commons (listed below)
Mortimer Wheeler: Howard Coster
Wheeler Method Pic: damz8dk1zx431
Roundhouse 1: Nick Smith
Roundhouse 2: Ballista
Institute of Archaeology London: Lord Harris
Institute of Archaeology London: Ethan Doyle White

[@reddrockingeezer]

At 71, living in the middle of the USA, I will never get to take the trip I planned in my mind to the UK, Scotland & Ireland. Your wonderful videos help make up for the trips I could never take. Thank you Paul, say Hi to Rebecca for me.

[@taffythegreat1986]

Don’t forget wales 😂

[@user-br9hv5ku2o]

My 90 year old neighbour goes hill walking in the Himalayas so your age shouldn't be an issue. We have met people from the mid US so that shouldn't be an issue either. Health or finance may be issues, but if these aren't come and visit.

[@reddrockingeezer]

@@user-br9hv5ku2o Thank you for the kind reply. I was born with a club foot and that ankle developed with increasing arthritis. By the time I was 15 I couldn't play sports or run track any more. At 71 now, I walk with a cane and try to shop where they have electric handicapped carts. I lost my retirement fund in the mortgage/bank failures in 2008. Now my only income is my Social Security deposit once a month. That's why I am happy traveling vicariously through other's video experiences. Thanks again for the invite.

[@mmclaren4699]

It's great here, just ignore everything this fool says. He has no idea what he's talking about 🤣🤦🏻‍♂️

[@JimBob4233]

Scotland is in the UK

[@llywrch7116]

A couple of thoughts here. 1. Wheeler was looking for confirmation & elaboration of a statement by Suetonius about the Emperor Vespasian. Vespasian was a general during Claudius' conquest of Britain, where he "fought 30 battles, subjugated two warlike tribes, and captured more than 20 towns, besides the entire Isle of Vectis." This was Robert Graves' translation of Suetonius, which needs two clarifications: one is that "Isle of Vectis" is the modern "Isle of Wight"; the other is that the Latin word Graves translates as "towns" can also mean "hill forts". Thus Wheeler was attempting to identify at least one of the hill forts Vespasian had captured, & due to the size of Maiden Hill as well as its location, he believed it was one of them. So when he encountered the skeletons presenting trauma & remains of huts burned to the ground, he drew the simplest -- but as we know now incorrect -- conclusion. Although his incorrect conclusion has been repeated by other experts for decades, Sheppard Frere hints at some skepticism in his _Britannia: A History of Roman Britain_ by noting the absence of "siege-works, of rampart-breaches or of causeways filling ditches". 2. After watching your last few videos, I'm starting to disagree with your comment that you are not a historian. You have put a lot of research & insight in these videos, so much that I feel you could proudly call yourself a "historian". After all, there are many historians who never received a degree in that field, nor had advanced training, nor teach at a school or college. Perhaps you don't do as much original research as, say, Wheeler or Frere, but you have performed important & skillful work showing how the British landscape has its own record of historical events waiting for an informed & expert eye to read.

[@pwhitewick]

1. Great point, I had never considered why he had that narrative on arrival at Maiden Castle. So this really makes sense. Thank you. 2. Thats really kind, thank you. Yup I do spend a great deal of time trying to make sure we get everything correct and of course credit those that give us the basis for the story. I guess it depends on the true definition of the word! Either way, we are having fun and learning a great deal too. Thanks again.

[@sirridesalot6652]

@@pwhitewick At one time all those who studied ancient history, animals or plants (ro name just a few areas of study) did NOT have degrees either. Those were the pioneers in the respective fields of study.The need for a degree came MUCH later. In many ways you are like them presenting new evidence in a new but entertaining way. I bet you'd make a marvelous teacher and that your classes would NOT be skipped.

[@punkypink83]

@@pwhitewick when i was at IoA a large part of archaeology i learnt, and by extention, history, is often best preserved in the hands of people from the local community, often with no formal training, but with a passion for their heritage aka amateur historians. i think you do fit the bill, and honestly given that you might earn money from your youtube channel(even if it isn't your main income stream) you could even arguably be considered a professional historian!

[@pwhitewick]

@punkypink83 thanks all. Very kind. 🙏

[@a11oge]

Fully agree with "After watching your last few videos, I'm starting to disagree with your comment that you are not a historian. You have put a lot of research & insight in these videos, so much that I feel you could proudly call yourself a "historian". After all, there are many historians who never received a degree in that field, nor had advanced training, nor teach at a school or college. Perhaps you don't do as much original research as, say, Wheeler or Frere, but you have performed important & skillful work showing how the British landscape has its own record of historical events waiting for an informed & expert eye to read."

[@rialobran]

Mortimer Wheeler, the inspiration for Terry Thomas' "cad" look. Interesting video.

[@SteamCrane]

Forgot about him. He was brilliant!

[@stevebellryott6382]

Thought exactly the same myself.

[@kevwhufc8640]

Terry Thomas, lol , great shout ,

[@paramarky]

I live a 5 minute drive away. A great place to walk and you can avoid meeting anyone else too!

[@pwhitewick]

It was very quiet

[@lkgreenwell]

There was a workman at my primary school, in Nunthorpe, then the North Riding of Yorkshire, showed us a gold coin in an envelope. The envelope had a written description of the coin, they’d found: it was signed by Mortimer Wheeler

[@PJWey]

Thanks Paul, from Paul just over the hill. Love the railway walks but Maiden Castle is a local favourite. Thanks, really enjoyed the video. Clickbait cerca 1939!? 😊

[@pwhitewick]

YES.... the modern day Influencer!!

[@rcgunner7086]

The more things change the more they stay the same.

[@womble321]

Mortimer wheeler was very famous he was often on TV. And I often saw him on TV

[@geew-fr9th]

I learnt that the ballista in the spine was excavated at nearby Hod Hill. Another hilltop stronghold.

[@pdxyadayada]

This gives a new meaning to ‘wheeling and dealing,’ I guess

[@paulinehedges5088]

Thanks Paul. Absolutely fascinating. We never stop learning from archaeology. More please.😊

[@GPWitteveen]

Sweet spot at 10 minutes - much more content than ever #TikTok but not so long to be a viewing chore. The bit with the camera whisking through the blades of grass was an unexpected encounter with the terrain! Clear narration and narrative text, too. All together a fine model for others to aim for. Kudos. As a fantasy version, one day you might like to storyboard an imagined Roman interpretation of this (or other) sites - giving them (imagined) voices that speak to audiences/curious visitors today. Ditto to give voice to Durotriges and their neighboring contemporaries

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for today’s clarification of the ancient information. It’s happens with a lot of handed down information. As always, thank you for labours and time spent on these clarifications. Hello to Rebecca as always, and see you on the next, Paul. Cheers mate! ❤️🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸

[@andrewduke1489]

Great work and such a fantastic place to visit. Thank you.

[@pwhitewick]

Many thanks!

[@chrish5319]

Thank you, very informative and reminds us that we we always need to take into account the context of any information source.

[@pwhitewick]

Absolutely!

[@paulinehedges5088]

Absolutely fascinating. Thank you SO MUCH. Archaeology is still a steep learning curve.thats what makes it SO interesting. More please.😊

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Pauline. Working on it.

[@user-hu7rn4ym8j]

On the day you posted this……I had just walked up maiden castle……….Misty rainy muddy…….I couldn’t see very far….Pedro my sisters dog loved running on the embankment…..little lambs were escaping under the gaps in the fence…….and I only saw 4 other people walking up……I love walking up these old sites…..hambledon hill is close to where I live…..another lovely hill top fort…….

[@barrydevonshire9749]

Thanks Paul .I remember watching the BBC prog about this . Not when originally transmitted note. 😊😊

[@jackwatsonepic626]

I think this guy is better than any BBC programmeme when I first put it on. I thought it was a proper network. I didn't realise that it was just a KZbinr i subed to paul there and then 😂🇬🇧.

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Great story. Wheeler was undoubtedly a bit of a cad, but he was also prolific and left a legacy of finds and records. Some of that has needed reinterpretation in the decades since!

[@pwhitewick]

Absolutely. We will let him have this one on account of the multitude of good!

[@ILoveMyBikes]

I love maiden castle. Local to me. Wondrous place.

[@StormwatchDruid]

Remember visiting Maiden Castle in the late 70's on a school trip and in my write up I wrote ' It was crap, there was no castle' let us just say the teacher was not very impressed, Luckily I have much more knowledge and appreciation for these ancient sites now.

[@lindagrey5957]

Lol

[@simonhenderson9278]

Great video and well told, Paul. It's useful to see Wheeler's highly dramatic version of events at Maiden Castle in context, though. As Britain headed towards war with Nazi Germany in 1939 the story of plucky Brits defending their home from the might of brutal invaders would have resonated strongly. So perhaps Wheeler was actually doing his bit for public morale, as well as talking up his profession. And as nearby Dorchester's Roman name, Durnovaria' means 'The new place of the Durotriges', the 'old place' may still have been inhabited when the Legions pitched up. All we don't know is whether the inhabitants went quietly!

[@hedleythorne]

Super location, super video, interesting about the stretching of the truth.

[@frankgulla2335]

Paul, thank you for "telling the tale" and providing the truth. I appreciate your hard work getting us the latest and "truest" version of history. Thank you. (Recent work on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) changes that narrative greatly and makes the whole story make much more sense.) You are doing the same.

[@ColinH1973]

"I've been Paul.", I hope you still are Paul, as I am looking forward to next week already! Thanks for this.

[@davefrench3608]

Interesting. Sir Mortimer Wheeler still had the spirit of the Victorian antiquarians about him.

[@pwhitewick]

Yes, absolutely

[@Sim0nTrains]

Great video, the area looks wonderful as well

[@pwhitewick]

It really is!

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Very interesting video. I can remember - just - Mortimer Wheeler presenting archaeology on BBC television in the 1950's. A larger than life character by all accounts, who, as you point out, helped raise the profile of archaeology amongst a wider public, but perhaps rather over-egged the burial mound in some cases. Did he deliberately set-out to mislead and were his 'findings' contested within the academic community - many of whom, one suspects - were suspicious of his motives and his use of the tv medium to attract publicity and funding. Fascinating stuff, as always.

[@PhilMasters]

I remember Wheeler from the TV when I was a kid. Obviously “a great character”, the kind of academic that TV producers love, and apparently genuinely important in his field. But that maybe leads to a bit of an ego problem… His Wikipedia page is interesting reading. He didn’t just *look like* a classic cad, it seems.

[@philiptaylor7902]

Thanks Paul, another great video telling the story behind the story.

[@freelancebush]

Brilliant. I spent a day walking around Maiden castle in 2011, totally immersed in my belief of the Roman battle that happened there, and maybe something did or maybe didn’t; either way it’s an amazing place to visit, and has a very real Genus-loci about it. The foundation archaeology of the Roman Temple of Minerva on the site are still very much visible. The earthwork ramparts and ditches are mind-boggling in scale that just don’t quite show-up on the screen and have to be seen to be fully appreciated. The vast size of the hill-fort does suggest a tribal chieftain of great influence and power. I read one theory that this site and it’s Chieften were the basis for Arthur and Camelot in post-Roman Britannia. Great video Paul👍👍

[@mike-myke22]

Fascinating. 👍

[@taffythegreat1986]

I tend to view a lot of what’s really going on in the world today, which is quite alarming and stressful. It nice to watch your videos just to chill out and relax for awhile. 👍👍

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Taffy!

[@mikedjames]

We have been past Maiden Castle many times but never stopped. Now we shall be stopping for a walk around. I remember the Wheeler Maiden Castle story from history lessons at school, where we were staring out the window, imagining Julius Caesar making his way nearby to a hill fort above Canterbury...

[@Adrian-yd8fk]

First the roads, then the wall, and now the battles! Is nothing I know about Roman Britain true? You sir, Paul Whitewick, are the Great Roman debunker! Great stuff

[@pwhitewick]

haha... no intention on making debunking a regular thing. It just fits with the stories that I have found interesting of late.

[@MY-nh3si]

Great story, well told. Just knew something was coming with how many 'brutals' there were in the first half 😂

[@pwhitewick]

I think I may have over played that slightly... right!

[@shirleylynch7529]

Another learning video. Amazing all the info you bring to our attention. Well delivered. Thank you for all your hard work putting these enjoyable videos together.

[@pwhitewick]

Thank you Shirley

[@Christina-ge3xr]

Another fascinating Sunday With Paul! Thank you for this look back in time 😊.

[@robertbench4664]

Remember Mortimer Wheeler used to do documentaries on BBC2 "Chronicle" programmes.I went to the top of Cadbury Castle once,and found it difficult to navigate.

[@pwhitewick]

Oh wow. Never knew that

[@christophernoble6810]

So, nobody really knows. There may well have been a skirmish here, but no major battle. The “castle” certainly dominates its surroundings. Our children always loved going there and running up and down the ramparts.

[@kingloser4198]

Getting closer to Abbotsbury railway :)

[@neilthehermit4655]

My now retired dad, used to work in a related field. The stories he could tell. - Academics often succumb to the pressures of finding grants/status/tenure and the truth is sometimes a casualty. - Put simply, there isn't enough money/resources to fund everybody with qualifications in any field requiring years of training and research. - Internal politics in a place of higher learning can be compared to gladiatorial games, lots of back stabbing, blood, misdirection, lies and temporary alliances built on foundations of sand. - Think of the worst political thriller you ever saw, and multiply by a large number. So I'm not surprised that the truth was 'massaged' to support the story that Wheeler was promoting.

[@loke6664]

Bad archaeology tends to happen when whoever digs it decide the story of the site first and use whatever they find to confirm their belief instead of carefully letting the site tell it's own story and then try to use other sources to see if anything there can help them figure out more details. I admit to thinking that the Romans indeed fought at Maiden castle, I did watch some old BBC documentary about the dig like 20 years ago when such documentaries popped up on the internet and while it is a super interesting massive site I haven't really read up on it since. There are just so many interesting places, monuments and buildings that I sadly are bound to miss a lot and I am not specifically interested in English sites, anything from anywhere can be on my list and most of the sites in the UK I visited myself are in Scotland (I dated a girl from Edinburgh from a time so it isn't because I think Scottish history is more or less interesting then English). I do really enjoy your wanderings, this channel and Pete Kelley's (the one where he just wanders to different sites, he have like 2 more that are more traditional which is fun too) do show us so many sites I really don't have the time to visit myself. :)

[@Vinemaple]

Looking - and sounding - a little PBS there, Paul! Hope you can find that sweet spot where it looks great but is still genuine and informative... I've recently heard some documentarians say that they don't like to do the classic "debunk" style videos, because people tend to only remember the false narrative and not the truth behind it. The answer is supposed to be to abandon the surprise-reveal format, and just tell the real story straight. Not completely applicable here, but worth keeping in mind.

[@jackprier7727]

Nice walk and tour of a cool place. Good story -

[@davie941]

a very interesting video yet again Paul , really well done and thank you 😊

[@pwhitewick]

Many thanks!

[@mickc5141]

Excellent video as always Paul, but what's happened to all the abandoned stations. I acquired a Jowett's Railway Atlas and magnifying glass especially to accompany your series. Will you be resuming these once the weather improves? 🤔

[@pwhitewick]

Railway tale up a week Sunday. 😊

[@barrywalser2384]

It’s an amazing place. It is massive and a maze. Thanks Paul!

[@mmclaren4699]

Oh dear 🤦🏻‍♂️ someone ate too much glue in school! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@leonardjackman354]

Fascinating video again made my Sunday night

[@pwhitewick]

Awesome, thank you!

[@marketmalc]

Very good. Thank you Paul.....oh and Rebecca!!

[@MummaBear]

Peer reviewed journals no longer have value. Thanks for setting the story straight. If only everyone was able to do this 🎉

[@poppadog53]

Very interesting video, Paul. Thanks for updating us on fact vs fiction.

[@hiddenwiltshire]

Really interesting. I've met Miles Russell, he taught my son in his archaeology degree at Bournemouth Uni. Small world ! (this is Glyn by the way)

[@pwhitewick]

Ah wonderful. He is a gent.

[@BrillPhil]

I lived a mile away from Maiden Castle in my early teens and I'm astonished to see that everything we believed was untrue! Right down to the arrow having been fired from a machine during a seige. Many thanks!

[@dogphlap6749]

I remember (Sir ?) Mortimer Wheeler being on BBC tv (there were no other channels at the time). I think the program was called 'Animal, Vegetable and/or Mineral' but that memory is very hazy. No hint of scandal then. On reflection he did sport a Terry Thomas style villain's mustache.

[@PhilMasters]

Wheeler was still showing up on TV in old clips when I was a kid in the '60s and '70s. He was one of those academics who came across as “a great character”, and who therefore got a good secondary career on radio and TV. That doesn’t make them bad academics at all; I believe that Wheeler did some very good work. But it does earn those people free trust that might not always be justified.

[@martinhew981]

Great video. Been there a couple of times but only 20 miles down the road. Must go again. Thanks Paul, excellent as always.

[@pwhitewick]

Definitely go again

[@allanchurm]

do look forward to your storys..thank you from a long time supporter

[@pwhitewick]

Much appreciated

[@Batters56]

If you want to see the man with the arrowhead in his spine he’s in the brilliant Dorset County Museum in the Roman garrison town of Dorchester down the road. (I was taught the Romans came along and set up camp in the valley and the whole battle on the South entrance story in the late 90s!!)

[@HoxieDan5369]

Thank you Paul. He totally fooled me! Time to restudy all we have learned. You are doing a grand job.

[@ClimateScepticSceptic-ub2rg]

This is exactly why 'the new archaeology' was needed, and it explains why that movement was so unpopular with traditionalists. How dare they test hypotheses and demand evidence?

[@kaikiefer499]

What a beautiful place this is. And learning something about its history is definitely worth it. I am really looking forward to every Sunday evening to watch your newest piece of work. Very well researched as usual. The music a bit too dramatic at the beginning though. 🤣 Off to the Golden Playbutton!

[@pwhitewick]

Haha... yup, I went fill tilt Johnny Harris there!

[@Insectoid_]

Mortimer was my girlfriend. To be my wife. Which would have made her Mortimer wheeler. Sadly she died in her sleep. But found that a strange coincidence as we we both were fascinated by Ancient Rome. Love your videos. Subbed :)

[@pwhitewick]

Welcome.

[@xlithoplatemaker]

Nice one!

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks!

[@tomlee812]

Another fascinating production. Thank you. The name sounded very familiar then I realised I used to listen to him on BBC's 'The Home Service' (now Radio 4) with the early panel show: 'Animal, Vegetable, Mineral.' I had no idea of his archaeological career.

[@pwhitewick]

Yup a few have mentioned his BBC appearances. I never knew!

[@Beatlefan67]

Very interesting as always you chaps.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks 👍

[@dougwilson4537]

I'm reminded of Saul Rubinick's director character in the movie 'Sweet Liberty'.... Never let the facts get in the way of a good story! I would say that Mortimer Wheeler followed that sentiment, for a very good reason. As you say... he moved archeology ahead.😊

[@leeedsonetwo]

This must be the start of a famous series of ground breaking posts about things that did not happen, your imagination is your boundary.

[@pwhitewick]

Alas.... I'm only as good as the archaeologists that go before me!

[@Antonnick]

I have a vague recalection of a TV programme or interview with Mr Wheeler from maybe the early 60s, I am not sure, where he describes events of the great battle that took place there with "bodies piling up on top of each other". i wonder if this video is this around?

[@hetrodoxlysonov-wh9oo]

Another interesting and well produced video, i don't fully agree that archaeologists and academics wouldn't do this today, i can think of a few incidences where they've added and or omitted information to fit an agenda.

[@a11csc]

you sure make em well paul

[@user-tf5ev6nv4c]

Very interesting. I’ve always held sir Mortimer wheeler in very high regard. He did work on the brigantines fort in the north east of England and hadrians wall etc. but I can well believe what you have said as money talks

[@pwhitewick]

Or... "extreme absurdity." Yes, I find that appropriate

[@dinleyg]

GREAT history lesson, Paul - thank you - made my Monday infinitely more exciting (*_*)

[@pwhitewick]

My pleasure!

[@Trebor74]

I visited maiden castle a few years ago. I climbed up the sides. It was steep but far easier than finding the entrance. The sward filled with sheep sh*t was a disappointment.

[@francishuddy9462]

I live in Exeter, Devon, about 50 miles west of Maiden Castle, Dorset. I imagine the Roman invaders moved westwards from landing in Kent. It is now known that Exeter - known then as Isca Dumnoniorum - was a Roman city. Therefore, the Romans would have to conquer the Duritreges - at Maiden Castle, Dorset - on the way to Exeter? Assuming they didn't go by sea.

[@michaelmcnally1242]

I'm one minute in and I already wish I could up-thumb 5 times

[@SciFiFemale]

My school was next to Maiden Castle, and we used to go there to do our cross-country runs, or walks in my case. I left in 1990, and I remember all the news about this stuff being fake. They did find a Mass Roman war grave found by 2012 Olympic road builders though, not far from this.

[@pwhitewick]

Ooooh. Do you know where I can find more info on this?

[@StephenDavenport-zqz2ub]

Maiden Castle may have been re-occupied after the Romans left in 410 AD. The Romano British may have sort refuge there from the Saxon invaders and the tragic consequences for them, of the Saxon invasion. I suspect the Dark Ages were very dark indeed.

[@pwhitewick]

I'd definitely like to learn a tad more of this era.

[@maryearll3359]

Sorry to hear about Sir M. I used to love watching him zip round on his motorbike and side car, sporting a magnificent handlebar moustache, resting under a tree puffing under his pipe ❤.

[@paulmicelli5819]

Good Show!

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks!

[@susieare]

I'd love to see a video on Cadbury Hill, South Cadbury. Is it Camelot!? We go there a lot - its a special place :)

[@pwhitewick]

On it!!

[@susieare]

@@pwhitewick yay! This video was really interesting, too! Thank you :)

[@michaelarcher6278]

Very interesting to hear about a place just 8 miles away from me. Visited Maiden Castle many times, always wondered about the history of such a marvellous place. Just out of interest, very close the Thomas Hardy's cottage is a small but very distinct road road hidden in Puddletown forest. Quite spooky on a winters walk.

[@pwhitewick]

I think I have seen a few pics of this lately.

[@stephendickinson7071]

Some say it's haunted by a Roman soldiers who can be seen walking along it at dusk.

[@davidioanhedges]

My local hillfort ... and a walk on it's own ... Wheeler was one of the first archaeologists who was not an Antiquarian, so even though his interpretation was very wrong, his excavations and the results of them were not and so when untangled from his bias and interpretations, still give us useful information

[@pwhitewick]

100% agree

[@andrewridge4978]

I was born and brought up in Dorchester. We were led to believe the Wheeler hypothesis. This leads me to wonder what Dorchester was for, or at least the choice of location, as the fort was already a relic.

[@pwhitewick]

...and of course, there is the aqueduct!

[@stephendickinson7071]

7 miles south is Weymouth, there was a roman harbour at Radipole lake.

[@HarryInEdi]

I so recommend people go to Maiden Castle. Try to walk straight up some ramparts, there's a good path to the left as you walk from the carpark. Each time you think you have 'conquered' the castle, another bigger ditch appears, with another greater mountain to climb. Would have been truly extraordinary to encounter as an enemy, but also amazing to think of the manpower it took to create. Even these days, with a team of JCBs, it would surely take months. And we do know the Romans did directly encounter this fort, even if there was no great battle. The town of Dorchester was probably sited where it was because of the castle.

[@highpath4776]

Still a strange location to work Iron. surely more of a sheep shelter - but why the flat top and low edges to it , where was the rest of the farming settlements around ? (Bronze age earlier ?)

[@phillwainewright4221]

Dorset - the most beautiful county in Britain.

[@pwhitewick]

Controversial

[@susieare]

It definitely is 😅

[@dave_h_8742]

Been there

[@robertdonaldson6584]

Those Lying Swine. I am fiddling "Swinging on a Gate" on my Violin.

[@stephendickinson7071]

Could you please do something on the so called Roman arena in Dorchester, i think archaeologists now call it a henge site.

[@pwhitewick]

managed to grab some clips when I was there! I think it has had quite a few uses!

[@Anarchy4Angels]

I read The Crows of War - A Maiden Castle Story by Steven Rayson when I was a kid. It's all about the Roman assualt on Maiden Castle from the point of view of a young British girl, with a good dose of Celtic mythology wound in. Well worth a read, even if the evidence shows there really wasn't a big battle and no siege by the Romans.

[@kevwhufc8640]

Mortimer wheeler was most certainly a sensationalist. I've worked in StAlbans, excavated verulamium and wheathampstead. He takes all the credit , but we who have seen her work Know Tessa was the archaeologist, we know the stories about her arguments with Mortimer, she disassociated herself with a lot of his written conclusions. You CAN'T diss Tessa , she Is buried in StAlbans in saint Stephens church . I've seen Mortimer's writings, conclusions regarding parts of verulamium that were never published. He wanted to find a Christian church inside the walled city He boxed up lead curses and other things found in a temple that I was part of the team that extended into the building ( his church) which was a pagan temple. The lead curses are not mentioned in his excavation reports, but by the context number we know the trech the building they came from . But they didn't fit his story about a Christian church so they are in our storage facilities in a small card box . Tessa wheeler is known by us as the archaeologist of verulamium, she would do all the work while he would choose a pretty volunteer and go off in his cart to search for "springs' and other 'places' associated with the original Celtic settlement . His original diaries are still at the museum storage depot, below the offices, I have read his reports about how Caesar and his legionaries attacked the wheathampstead settlement, claiming they crossed the river Colne and were faced by huge ditches known as devil's dyke. The river is east and the ditches are on the north east side of the settlement... But in his BBC he doesn't mention that.. He was old school, he didn't let a yarn get in the way of the facts. Although he's not all bad, just dont take everything he says seriously without cross ref with other people's work. Poor old (actually died quite young 42) Tessa died before the maiden castle work ended and well before the work was written and published. You can't blame her for him...

[@pwhitewick]

I think it was Miles that suggested maybe the conclusions drawn from his work here would have been entirely different if Tessa was alive.

[@George_M_]

"Professionalism is king" Also archaeologists: Indiana Jones hats and beer!

[@SteamCrane]

Zahi Hawas? No.

[@SteamCrane]

So we went from a video every Sunday to not going to do a video every Sunday to a professional level video every Sunday. Nice!

[@pwhitewick]

Haha... kind of. ❤️🙏

[@markstott6689]

I suspect that if the Romans wanted to capture Maiden Castle, they're more likely to have starved it into submission. Much like at Alesia in Gaul. In the end I wouldn't be surprised if the locals just opened the gates and let the Romans in. It makes more sense than being slaughtered or sold as slaves. ❤❤❤

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Paul, very interesting story. Really enjoyed seeing the fort by drone, a real labyrinth. Must have taken a lot of manpower to build that. Mortimer Wheeler has quite a history, serving in both world wars, so great respect for that. His photo does remind me of Terry Thomas though!! All the best!!

[@llywrch7116]

I remember reading that these elaborate entrances were the result of centuries of building & modifications, according to the strategraphy. This is based on Wheeler's excavations -- so if Wheeler can be trusted. (I suspect in this matter he can.)

[@Jimyjames73]

Interesting Paul 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@richardmorgan9273]

Did Wheeler intend to deceive? Maybe, maybe not. He found what he expected to find, so wouldn't be inclined to question it too much.

[@robinbennett3531]

I can recommend Miles Russel s book "bloodlines" about Roman Britain....

[@robinbennett3531]

oh yeah cheers Paul great video

[@mickbrookes2829]

You say that Wheeler's report on his Maiden Castle excavation was published in 1943? There was a war on - the British public had lived with the threat of invasion for three years and were about to mount an invasion of Europe themselves. You may disagree, but I believe that. one's interpretation of history is always very much flavoured by / filtered through the contemporary affairs of the times in which one lives..

[@pwhitewick]

Agree completely. I think Miles suggests the same too.

[@rogerslaymaker6095]

I see that you don't mention the great number of skeletons found during the excavation of the Weymouth relief road.

[@pwhitewick]

I knew not of them

[@mauricewatts2380]

Can't argue with anything you say but it was obviously built to be defended from every direction, you try running up those slopes with your backpack. I've always believed there was a huge pile of stones gathered from nearest beaches to be used as slingshot . It had certainly been an important hub of activity and settlement in the late Iron Age.

[@pwhitewick]

I guess that is part two. Who were they defending against when built. The neighboring tribes?

[@Batters56]

Lots of neighbouring hill forts, Eggardon, Lewesdon, Pilsdon and the smaller Waddon, the names of the Houses at Beaminster school when I was there!

[@michaelarcher6278]

Thats Roman road .😅

[@mikestone6078]

So, quite like Schliemann with Troy, huh? Hopefully, that Mr. Wheeler didn't destroy as much on his hunt for the right findings.