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Beyond this definition the variation in types and periods is wide. Some were also settlements whilst others appear only to have been occupied seasonally or in times of strife. Further, many hill forts, after careful archeological excavation, have been discovered to have been used not for military purposes, but to pen in cattle, horses, or other domesticated animals.

Hill forts are especially common across Europe. In Central Europe, hill-forts start with the late Neolithic, but are especially common in the Bronze Age Urnfield culture and in the Hallstatt culture of the early Iron Age, and were being built until the Roman conquest in many areas. Julius Caesar described the large late Iron Age hill forts he encountered during his campaigns as oppida. By this time the larger ones had become more like cities than fortresses and many were assimilated as Roman towns.

1 Scandinavia

In Scandinavia, hill forts are fortifications from the Iron Age which may have had several functions. They are usually located on the crests of hills and mountains making use of precipices and marshes which worked as natural defenses. The crests' more accessible parts were defended with walls of stone and outer walls in the slopes beneath are common. Round and closed, so called, ring forts are common even on flat ground. The walls often have remaining parts of stone, which were probably the support of pales. They often have well delineated gates which were probably of wood. Hill forts with strong walls are often located beside old trading routes and have an offensive character, whereas others are reclusive and were weakly fortified, probably only for hiding during raids.

Many forts, located centrally in densely populated areas, were permanently settled strongholds and can show traces of settlements both inside and outside. Older place names containing the element sten/stein were usually hill forts.

In Sweden, there are 1100 known hill forts with a strong concentration on the northern west coast and in eastern Svealand. Only in Sudermannia, there are 300, in UplandiaUplandia or Uppland is a historical Province or Landskap on the eastern coast of Sweden. It borders to Sudermannia, Westmannia and Gestricia. It is also bounded by lake Malaren and the Baltic sea. Counties For current affairs see: Uppsala County, Stockhol 150, East Götaland 130 and BahusiaBahusia or Bohuslan is a historical Province or landskap on the western coast of Sweden. It borders to Dalia and Westrogothia. It is also borders to Skagerrak and to Norway. By the treaty of Roskilde, this formerly Norwegian province was ceded to Sweden. and GotlandGotland is the largest island in the Baltic Sea. At 2,994 km² it is also the largest island belonging to Sweden, ahead of Oland. Inhabitants of the island number 57,381 (2002 figure) and the primary income sources are tourism and agriculture. The main cit 90-100 each.

In GotlandGotland is the largest island in the Baltic Sea. At 2,994 km² it is also the largest island belonging to Sweden, ahead of Oland. Inhabitants of the island number 57,381 (2002 figure) and the primary income sources are tourism and agriculture. The main cit, ring forts can be from the Pre-Roman Iron AgeThe Pre-Roman Iron Age (ca 500 BC ca 1 AD) is the name given by Oscar Montelius to a period in Scandinavian and North German pre-history and a part of the European Iron Age. It evolved out of the Nordic Bronze Age and is characterized by the acquisition o, but findings from the period 200Events Jewish Eretz Yisraeli scholar Judah ha-Nasi compiles tracts of the Mishnah, beginning the creation of Talmudic law. Chinese warlord Cao Cao defeats Yuan Shao in the Battle of Guandu. The Classic age of Maya civilization begins. Sun Quan founds the AD- 600 AD dominate. Many were still in use during the Middle Ages. For a unique fort, see Tingstäde Träsk .