Excavations on two Late Iron Age strongholds in western Estonia: Ridala and Kedre (Leediküla)

Abstract

In 2024, ancient hill forts were studied in Ridala Tubrilinnas and Kedre (Leediküla) Hallimäel in Läänemaa. The aim was to find an answer to the question of whether the hill forts in Läänemaa remained under Estonians' control after the conquest in the 13th century. It was established that the Ridala hill fort was in use by the Viking Age, although an earlier data cannot be excluded, and Kedre was probably founded during the Final Iron Age. Unfortunately, the excavations did not provide a clear answer as to when the strongholds ceased to be used.