The area was a boundary between the Romano-British Celts and West Saxons during the period 577-652 AD, when the nearby Wansdyke fortification comprised part of the border.

This includes the Somerset Levels to Glastonbury Tor and Brent Knoll which are the closest and probably the most easily identifiable landmarks from the site.

[5] Hill forts developed in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age, roughly the start of the first millennium BC.

"[8] The site rises to 292 metres (958 ft) above sea level and enables a view over the surrounding valleys and hills.

The hill has not eroded as fast as the surrounding limestone as it is made of Old Red Sandstone deposited in the Devonian period approximately 400 million years ago.