BC, by the Dobuni who were one of the Celtic tribes living in the British Isles prior to the Roman invasion of Britain. The name Maes Knoll is derived from the Brythonic word maes meaning flat top, derived from Latin mensa meaning table, and Old English knoll or knowle meaning hill. The existing scarp slopes were steepened and, on the north-western edge of the fort is an earthen mound, known as Maes Knoll Tump, about above the rests of the fort defences, which is across and above a defensive ditch. The pre-historic, later Wansdyke runs west from it along the north side of Dundry Hill and south-east from it. Second World War During the Second World War, a small, draughty, rectangular, corrugated-iron hut on the top of the tump sheltered two or more of Dundry's Home Guard, allowing them to spot enemy aircraft and potential parachute or glider invasions of Bristol. The modern outlines of the hut and a smaller, more-square area are both still discernible. Presumably, the tall trees to the north of the tump would have been cut down to allow clear visibility of Bristol. The flat plateau immediately to the east of Maes Knoll had some 50 wartime stone cairns to deter enemy glider landings. The cairns continued to be there for some years after the war ended. See also List of hillforts and ancient settlements in Somerset References External links Illustrated description Hill forts in Somerset History of Somerset Bath and North East Somerset Neolithic settlements Iron Age sites in England Archaeological sites in Somerset Scheduled monuments in Bath and North East Somerset