Is Mam Tor The Prehistoric Capital of the Midlands?

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[@susanfletcher8041]

Well I’ve lived in Derbyshire my whole life and never knew mam tor was a hill fort. Fascinating stuff.

[@royfearn4345]

To be honest, it is so local to me, I have never noticed the defences even though I've been up there many times. It's nowhere near as obvious as Maiden Castle, which I've also visited fairly often.

[@astralchimp]

Manchester used to be called Mamchester..the tit shaped fort

[@Templeborough]

Also lived in or near Derbyshire much of my life and I always assumed it was but did not know why. The Ancient Paths by Graham Robb might be helpful, if a little wild and whacky!

[@calum5975]

​@@astralchimpYep! Mamucastra was the Latin name for it (in turn derived from the Celtic name). Mamu is a cognate with Mum. Mums have boobs, so mam meant boob in the Celtic language of the area.

[@Wildernessoutside]

@@calum5975 I always new mam tor as the mother hill

[@ronalddevine9587]

This was so educational. Britain has such a rich and diverse history. She's small but mighty. From New England, thank you.

[@ragwortrattle8798]

You might like to read The Mabinogion' first written in the 13th century. It'll tell you all about Britain, The Island of the Mighty,the Best of Islands. Fascinating stories.

[@smiler3418]

Thank you from Birmingham England

[@Mazalinda]

I remember walking Mam Tor as part of a geography field trip. Aching legs, the cold. We were wearing school uniform so hardly correctly garbed for such an exercise. I wish I had your commentary then, I would have found the history compelling, but all I remember now is “millstone grit”.

[@richardhobson5995]

Cracking video! The "Mother " is a special place for me ,after leaving school I spent several years working in its shadow (Blue John Caverns). I've been lucky to have seen her in all weather's, I've lost count of the number of sheep I've seen walking across its face and the number of times the old road has been repaired!

[@deecooper1567]

Such beautiful country & full of history. 👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

[@basilbrushbooshieboosh5302]

Excellent Pete, Thanks. Yes, yours and my ancestors tilled that soil, moved that rock to hedge, and bedded down to await the coming day. It's awesome to think on that, and belittling in the expanse and march of time. Your vids are great man. Glad I've followed you for so many years. You're a gem. Michael

[@Whatmowthelawn]

Great job on the videos dude. If you could find out anything on the Abergwesyn Common I'd be in your debt. It's a vast area of wilderness that stretches between Llyn Brianne and the Elan reservoirs. Super interesting, rarely visited site, chocked full of cairns and large standing stones that there is little to no information about anywhere. There's a massive white (I think quartz) stone that overlooks the Garreg Ddu reservoir that's particularly impressive.

[@redking5788]

Totally sheepwrecked unfortunately. One day the sheep will be gone and it can recover

[@michaelhindley4211]

A masterful report. I've been up Mam Tor many times and I never realised how significant it is. I used to have to visit a company in Wilmslow and my favourite way to get there was from the other side of Mam Tor near where there is a huge landslip through country roads to a little village called Pott Shrigley and on from there. A very peaceful and scenic way to get from the Don Valley to Wilmslow.

[@leod-sigefast]

Being from Manchester, I've visited Mam Tor over my Peak District hikes 'career', probably 2010. It actually took my Spanish girlfriend to get me into hiking the wonderful landscapes on my very doorstep! She was into walks and hikes - including doing the Camino de Santiago - and had done a few Peak District walks on her own before I knew her, including Edale. She also had books from the famous walks writer Wainwright (I believe he was called?). How could I resist?! The walk through Castleton to get to Mam Tor is also quite magical, including the old Castle ruins. I remember Mam Tor being quite busy but not anything to stress about. As it was about August, I do however remember the top being absolutely swarming with flying ants which prevent us from stopping to enjoy the scene/have a bit of lunch. But a pleasant hike anyone can enjoy, as it is on the easier side of Peak District walks. It doesn't surprise me it might have been a Celtic Hill Fort and settlement. The views over the surrounding area are fantastic and you also have the mines nearby for minerals.

[@CharlesEros1]

Great comment! 😊

[@danielshaolin6053]

What a strange coincidence… I was literally day dreaming today about Mam Tor, and wondering what role the hill fort played in the ancient times! Wondering about the significance of this location for the Brigantes and other tribes. Then I came across your video! Great stuff!

[@marcbernard1744]

I find the music you use in your videos to be both inspiring and haunting. I’m glad I had the time this morning to watch this. Always a ton of information! Love all your channels and videos

[@marylavine2632]

The scenes and narrative makes one think of history, what could have taken place. I would love to visit a hill fort, amazing what it took to build up.

[@miamidolphinsfan]

THANK YOU PETE!!!!!! I have missed rhese kid of amazing stories for a while......they are so very special !!!!!!!

[@charleswilliams1966]

British Isles are an archeological gold mine. That’s rugged country and you make it look like a blast. Even when I was your age I don’t know if I could’ve kept up with you and your father in some of your other videos.

[@redking5788]

It used to be little farmsteads with living communities but not so long ago the peasants were driven off and chaaed abroad or to the cities so that the rich landlords could produce wool. They are still doing it today even though the wool is not in demand

[@massonman9099]

some amazing aerial views of hill forts. Didn't know that about Breedon on the Hill. As a child I could faintly see it in the distance from my bedroom window and thrilled about the old legend of the devil and the church!

[@Smeghead1981]

I can see Mam Tor from my window right now, did a walk from Edale on Saturday. Never knew you were from my neck of the woods.

[@alastairbrewster4274]

Absolutely excellent editing and story telling , this is so professional

[@bill-2018]

I thought I was going to see Mam Tor not everywhere else. When I was younger and fitter I tried to go up the man made defensive earthwork up to Mam Tor. It was a tough climb and certainly would be hard to attack from this side. I've visited quite a few hillforts and barrows both in Derbyshire, Arbor Low, Minninglow, Stanton Moor and Scotland including the isle of Mousa broch, Camster cairns and Cairnpapple and wheelhouses on Skara Brae and Jarlshof to name just a few. A few standing stones as well. I'd like to see some Pictish ones.

[@yorkshireaquatics9537]

Hi Pete great video as always. Have you been to "Castle Hill" in Almondbury, Huddersfield? It's a brilliant site to have a walk around and I believe a bronze age arrow head has been found along with a lot more iron age artifacts. Not too long a drive from your end either 😊.

[@Dannysince1985]

Love this place, walked it many a times. Interesting fact - Mam Tor translates as 'Hill hill' as both words mean hill. There's an old episode of QI where Steven is talking about it.

[@paulking54]

Big UP Derbyshire!!! I'm a Chesterfield lad originally. Really enjoyable video. I didn't know there was a hillfort on the mothers teet either.

[@alanjones4622]

It is great to bring back a few memories of hard days out on these particular hills. I have run over Mam Tor many times in the course of taking part in the Edal Skyline fell race and other races that crossed this area. This stretch now has paths made of paving flags salvaged from the old cotton mills and terraced houses that existed on either side of the Peak District. For many years it was a muddy trail after wet weather. I will never go back again being no longer fit enough at my age and living more than a thousand miles further south. Still, I have my reminiscences o look back on.

[@vestanorman176]

So much history all around us. We all live on previously owned land.

[@iasnaia-poliana]

Great stuff. I love the fact that you love your land.

[@user-McGiver]

the bronze that made the ''Mediterranean bronze age'' was made with tin from southern England and copper from Cyprus.... [there's a kickstart for a video right here!...]

[@andyhall1297]

Walked it 3 times and never realised it was a hill fort wow!

[@steverobinson3198]

Great video Pete, as always. Love your passion for our history 👋👍

[@garrettberna1331]

Great video! Keep up the awesome content.

[@DextraVisual]

I'm really liking these explore, journey videos you are doing. When you show the embarkation, personal interactions and site discovery with the accompanying information you really take us with you. When I am unable to get more time off work and visit heritage sites, I just watch your videos and go on a virtual trip. Love it.

[@gwynwilliams4222]

Mam tor translated to mothers roof in English we still use the word tor today in Wales

[@morkusmorkus6040]

I think you'll find Mam Tor means "Mother Hill".

[@AnyFuleKnoThat]

In the early 60's we lived near Badbury Rings, Dorset. My mother worked for Lord Bankes who owned Kingston Lacy, and much of the surrounding land, including Badbury Rings. There was an avenue of Beech trees along the B3082 that William J Bankes planted in 1835, and I was told that he placed a coin under each of the 731 Beeches, sadly they were given the chop by the National Trust after they took over the estate and lands. What a amazing place Mam Tor is, great views from there. We have a few Tor's where I live -- Dartmoor 😊 I really enjoyed your video, Thank you 👍

[@adriansmith6993]

Such beautiful countryside and interesting history. Thanks! ❤

[@margo3367]

So evocative. Your storytelling is par excellence.

[@OffRampTourist]

Another evocative and informative video. The music felt appropriate to the time and place while also feeling very Appalachian. Enjoyed that too.

[@m.m9973]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@paulm5443]

Walked the mam tor ridge several times with my young children. From memory; Mam tor, Hollins cross, Back tor. Then down into the valley and up along the edge of Kinder Scout. Happy days.

[@suecondon1685]

When I was about 14, my Dad stopped off at Cadbury Castle on the way to our holiday. It was quite early, with an eerie drifting mist. It felt very mystical, walking up through the surrounding trees and getting to the top for the beautiful view. Hill forts are so special. The past haunts these places. Mam Tor is certainly an awesome place. I love your channel, and your brother's 😊

[@cecileroy557]

Excellent, as always! Thanks for giving us comparative timeline as to when people first lived on the Tor - First Kingdom Egypt & the Sea People REALLY got my attention - wow!!!

[@SimonWillig]

I can relate to this very much. Always loved these places where there's not much left but a few ruined walls or less. Gives room to imagination. Wonderful music as well, as always 😊

[@vaunmalone3064]

Great drone footage Pete! I'd love to do all the ancient sites in these islands! I'll put it on my bucket list.

[@mrfitz96]

Thanks for this video. Inspiring stuff.

[@rodmarker2071]

I did geology at Sheffield Uni in 1972 - was in the peak district many times , took my 1st LSD trip on Mam Tor with my GF and some mates it was great - from some sides it looks like the edge of a Pyramid, was a great trip. UK has some great geology but I left after Brexit and now live in the Alps. Peak District is gods country .

[@goldilocks913]

Superb production and content buddy! New subscriber 👍🇬🇧

[@lightfootpathfinder8218]

I went up mam tor two days ago with my son. Its certainly impressive as a feature and does have a commanding feeling about it. I walked up shirtless and came down in a hoodie and mack ....the weather changed at the drop of a hat

[@patmancrowley8509]

I wonder just how much of the surrounding valleys and hills were covered with trees way back when.

[@jackx4311]

The valleys were, but not the hills. If you travel around the Peak District, you can see this pattern. The hilltops are too cold and the topsoil too thin for trees to thrive. That was another reason for building hill forts, not just in the Peak District, but as far south as Wiltshire and Somerset; the lack of trees on the top meant enemies could be seen coming a long way off. It's also the reason that the Berkshire Rideway was such a heavily used route for travel and trade in ancient times. The valleys were full of forests, where ambushes were easy; travelling along the ridges meant nobody could sneak up on you. HTH

[@patmancrowley8509]

@@jackx4311 Thanks for the information. Always fascinating!

[@grahamwatkins5076]

The hill fort known as Credenhill Camp is the second largest in Britain and listed as a monument. This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. Just outside of Hereford it is worth a look!

[@christaylor5332]

Great video as usual! It’s about time I went up there again. Cracking descended from Odin cap by the way

[@paulasullivan2011]

Excellent video on a difficult era. Thank you! Nice music.

[@johnhawden4118]

enjoyed that, cheers

[@Traveler13]

Loved this, right up my street

[@peterfrance702]

Wonderful Mam Tor! Been there a hundred times.😀

[@giuseppersa2391]

A stunning presentation of a magickal place. Thank you ❤

[@alexanderguesthistorical7842]

Great video! I'll be researching Mam Tor for sure. Fantastic to see that shot of Torhouseekie stone circle, I know it very well! Did you do a video on it?

[@r2dadizubz]

Top quality vid in every way

[@jasonwoods3711]

What many don't know, knowledge lost in time , is that the Midlands around 9000bc was mainly under water, tidal waters too. When the Medi lake turned by the force of nature into the Mediterranean ocean, the Atlantic ocean dropped a little and so did tidal rivers revealing nourished lands. Befor the Romans came , the Trent River was over 5 miles wide and ships sailed down the river Tame ( now only 10ft wide in places ), and anchored up just below Atherstone Castle house... I've always found it fascinating that if the Trent barrier was to fail in Liverpool then most of East Staffordshire and the West Midlands would be under water in less than a day ! Hence hill forts maybe ...

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

About 1,000 years before Dogerland was flooded?

[@1258-Eckhart]

@@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391 Yeah, and even Lindsey and the Fens are 20 - 50 metres above Dogger. I've never seen this River Trent theory. If it's 8 km wide, it's not a river any more, but part of the North Sea.

[@jasonwoods3711]

Il agree to disagree on the dates but yes when the Dogerland islands got tsunami-ed and flattened !

[@anonUK]

Liverpool? The Trent? I think it's pretty well known what river Liverpool is on.

[@jasonwoods3711]

@@1258-Eckhart in Retford, If you dig more than 18ft you get running water off the Trent.

[@debbralehrman5957]

Thanks for the video.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@BenSHammonds]

is certainly beautiful there, would love to visit the Peak District one day

[@derrydude5874]

Interesting video! Please do some videos in Ireland! Uisneach, Hill of Tara, and Loughcrew are amazing! Keep up the good work 😎

[@KernowekTim]

Awesome place. I'd like you do do a cover of Hereford Beacon, Iron Age Hill-Fort at Malvern, Pete, if you haven't already. Spectacular place with stunning panorama. I've found two Dobunnic full-staters in the fields near it, on one of my permissions. One stater is really crisp.

[@briancooper562]

This area has many sources of useful and decorative objects. Lead, Blue John (hydrocarbon stained fluorite semi precious gem), fluorspar (Calcium Fluoride CaF2) a heat effected form of calcium related to ground faulting and escape of hot mantle fluids (gas and liquid) hence the lead and some silver in the Peak district up lift. The hydrocarbons can be found in the tar pits in the area above the Winnats Pass

[@josephfredbill]

Yep. I live not far from there - there are always sodden clouds around here ;-)

[@postictal7846]

Towers of Saints is going to ring a bell the next time I'm in Hovenweep National Monument. Your Hillforts are massive!

[@gillyobaggin]

I broke my leg on this hill a couple of months ago. I love this place. One of the best things about living in Derbyshire.

[@Syzygy77]

The history of Britain is so fascinating.

[@SEKreiver]

Quality clip! A good example of what I call the 'pre-Hallstatt Celtic Period' in Britain. I bet the builders spoke Q-Celtic.

[@philipsmeeton]

There must have been hundreds of small protected settlements in the agriculturally rich lowlands. I visited a couple of these close to Nottingham. the ditches still clearly visible, also marked on ordnance survey maps. There were so many thorn bushes that I speculated that thorn hedges could have been part of the defences and that perhaps they were places to hide livestock in times of cattle raiding. One site being well hidden and not visible from a distance. These were rich cultures with large populations.

[@jamesrussell7760]

Just contemplating the enormous effort to construct those circular ramparts is mind boggling. Any archeological digs at Mam Tor looking for artifacts such as axes , arrow heads and the like?

[@qwertyuiopgarth]

I would like to see a series that goes from the oldest ancient site in Britain to the most recent 'will become an ancient site' and how the knowledge of each site is connected. Including sites that are not yet ancient sites, talking about why people should remember these sites in the year 4444, and so on.

[@badcampa2641]

That would keep him fairly busy

[@qwertyuiopgarth]

@@badcampa2641 More busy is more great videos for us! And since it would be a big project it will be fine if it takes him twenty years to 'complete'.

[@domhuckle]

Love this video

[@paulprior9875]

One of my favourite little hikes.

[@LauraTye-vc4ck]

Loved this been many times and now you have made me want to visit again next week! . Have you been to a spot with a fort on top in north wales called the rivals?? You would definitely love it

[@deborahhall2516]

Great job at narrating you are a poet.

[@markedis5902]

Follow a lay line from historic site to site to site. That might be fun?

[@scallopohare9431]

Thank you!

[@greywanderer5935]

Nice! I live very close to Breedon on the Hill!

[@therealjordiano]

Amazin documentary, subbed. I was fortunate enough to go here a couple years ago but stupid enough to not learn enough about the history beforehand to make it optimally worthwhile. Now I'm repentant enough to make up the lost ground, but stubborn enough to refuse to go there too frequently to make my next trip soon enough so that I will remember all this information. Zounds, what a pickle this is

[@mrsmmoose6775]

Thanks for this, I learned a lot. Big Moor is another ancient site in the Peaks, easier to get to if your legs aren't perfect but just as atmospheric.

[@kellyb1420]

I’ve missed ya Pete 👋 Bless Up my friend 🙏❤

[@mrsmokestack1856]

Brilliant, live near Caer Caradoc and south of Oswestry and the hill fort at Nesclliffe great doc 👍

[@michaelbardill5310]

I used to work for Trent & Peak Archaeology Trust, on behalf of the Peak Park Authority. We did several small scale surveys and excavations........truly an amazing place.

[@MauriceTarantulas]

Gonna go to the hillfort of the Ordovices soon!

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

It was windy like that when we went up Mam Tor.

[@runningsuperska]

Well done Peter 👏

[@danielshaolin6053]

You forgot to include the Brigantian goddess idol which is located inside the museum in Castleton. Perhaps the hill fort of Mam Tor was a site dedicated to the goddess Brigantia?

[@colinbrigham8253]

Thank you 😊

[@briancrowther3272]

Left Uk for Sydney Oz in 1981. Went to Sheffile Uni 76 to 79, did geology, physics and geography. Did Mam Tor as a question in my A Level exam. Visited it many times when at Uni. Once to ski down the northern side where someone had set up a tow rope, wouod have been xmas 1976. Partokk in drunkeb=n cricket game, hope valley vs edale valley teams in the hope valley side. After a 3 dat walk across Snake Pass route from anout Lose Hill to the escapment facing Manchester then back across to Mam Tor, in the summer. 79 skate boarded down the hairpin bends road under the exposed face, the road had been just closed permanently due to slippage.When on heneymoon with Australian wife stayed at pub above Heathersage and from the bedroom window could see Mam Tor cloaked in snow, Xmas 1995, very very impressive view. A couple of ears ago found a great geological paper on the geology of the area around Mam Tor, which very ironic as was in my hiome in Sydney at the time, told me stuff I never knew or learned about it while at Sheffield doing geology. Have fossils about a meter behind me in my cabinet from the limestone just below Mam Tor, from just outside Blue John Caves Castleton. It was a coral reef during the Carboniferous period. Not Mam Tor, the area around Blue Jihn Caves. Ill read it again due to seeing this. Eg the layered shales and sandstones and silts of mam Tor itself are rocks as a group called turbidites. These are formed at the front of deltas as they enter deep waters. You know we do take the hill forts for granted in the UK as there are so many. I would have realised Mam Tor is one eg in the A Level Question and when visiting but als never really stopped to consider it and its wonderful location as a position or what the culture was that produced it. Am getting into that from OZ now anm retired. Went to OZ to find oil and gas, fund a lot, feel a bit guilty now due to the dire consequences re global warming and my massive contribution. Didnt know about that when started out as a geolgist after geology at Sheffield Uni and the interest sparked by Mam Tor and the like in me for that. If Id known I would have used my talents for something else eg I have Oz geology mates who currently explore for lithium. Have a soft spot for Yourkshire, Sheffield, Peak District, Mam Tor. Dont vote Tory they are shit.

[@romanbrough]

I once got the train to Edale and walked to Castleton. I recall it was a very, very steep path. I turned and watched the clouds playing at making patterns on the slopes above Edale. I went perhaps three hours without seeing another soul.

[@sjaakmcd1804]

Cheers Pete, awesome as usual. I was looking at all the mounds (spoil heaps) from all the industry over 3000 years

[@johnspencer1944]

I find your videos very professional and inspirational. A natural to a very interesting subject. I've been to many sacred sites I . ike to douse to pick up energy fields from ley lines and stone circles. the lake district holds a labyrinth of interesting sites to explore.. One of my favourites is Long Meg and her daughters. Interesting energy field from the cup and ring .

[@calxtra5361]

My Grandpa live very close to Maiden Castle and i climbed to the top where there is a railed small enclosure twice .. i'd love to do that again but i am now disabled so cant .. loved the video stupendous veiws from the top!

[@cathafloat1519]

Our house backs on to an Iron Age hill fort, Bury Hill Ring, in Anna Valley, near Andover. I agree, hill forts exude spirituality. We are also near Danebury. I remember it being excavated in the late eighties. They even found the skeleton of an Iron Age mouse in the bottom of one of the grain pits. There is a rather excellent little Iron Age Museum in Andover. We are also near Stonehenge and not too far from Avebury. All worth a visit if you are ever travelling along the A303. By the way, I hiked up Mam Tor as a teenager many times and never realised it was a hill fort. You learn something new every day. Thanks.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

That’s just so cool! Even more so because nothing is known about it other than it’s there.❤️🤗🐝

[@ShaneOFearghail]

Great video. Hill forts have always been a fascination of mine since childhood. The name "Mam" is interesting. In Ireland, you have the Maamturks (Maum Tuirc), which is pronounced the same. In Scotland, you also have Meall Tuirc. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maumturks

[@farrier2708]

It should be remembered that during the bronze age the high places would have been the only areas devoid of trees. Those lush valleys you describe, would have been covered in the proverbial "Wild Wood", populated by carnivorous predators such as wolf. Not a nice place to spend the night.

[@PeteKellyHistory]

It’s a debated point as far as I’m aware. A number of scholars I’ve read suggest the wild wood was largely hacked down as early as the Neolithic.

[@tam19711]

So much for mam tor you shown more of other places instead!!😮

[@Artifartibiz]

I have no idea why? ….. but there’s always a …. Feeling, for how our ancients would have, and where have, hidden, fortified places. You can see them from motorways, and note them in your mind… in modern days, with modern threats … you think, where? 😊 new subscriber ! Beautifully done! 😊

[@winstonsmithsoul]

It’s interesting the historic places trust seems more interested in others history, not our own. Maybe they could pick one hill fort and rebuild it from the ruins of the materials onsite.

[@sheepdog1102]

Great job 👏

[@James27Simko]

just an FYI, if youre ever back in the area, the Peveril Stores in Castleton has the best pork pie ive ever eaten. i was a chef at the Peak Hotel next door for a while and at one point i was eating one per day for breakfast/lunch. if they are still making them, you need to get one

[@theresbob8878]

Never understood why they cut themselves off from water. As an old hunter...disadvantage goes to the guy uphill...he's a silhouette for the lower observer/shooter.

[@woodyw9798]

Exactly! I dont believe these sites were for permanent occupation for that very reason. They were defensive positions which the community could retreat to when they became threatened and/or possibly sites of spiritual purpose.

[@theresbob8878]

@@woodyw9798 Agreed...except water becomes even more important unless there is something in the site that shows they could store food and water,

[@woodyw9798]

@@theresbob8878 for long term siege yes but then the agressor would face the same problem.

[@morkusmorkus6040]

Tons of advantages and one disadvantage which is super easy to overcome even in the bronze age. Not hard to make a cistern.