Stockade

The troops or settlers would build a stockade by clearing a space of woodland and using the trees whole or chopped in half, with one end sharpened on each.

They would dig a narrow trench around the area, and stand the sharpened logs side-by-side inside it, encircling the perimeter.

In colder climates sometimes the stockade received a coating of clay or mud that would make the crude wall wind-proof.

[citation needed] Builders could also place stones or thick mud layers at the foot of the stockade, improving the resistance of the wall.

From that the defenders could, if they had the materials, raise a stone or brick wall inside the stockade, creating a more permanent defence while working protected.