The site's original purpose is unclear. Despite the martial connotations of the term hill fort, such places were used for a wide variety of purposes, including stock enclosures, redistribution centres, places of refuge and permanent settlements. Structures were often erected within their perimeter, such as houses, storage pits and probably raised granaries. However, archaeological evidence is lacking for the existence of such structures within Chanctonbury Ring, which would have been in an extremely exposed and windswept spot. One possibility is that it may have been used as a centre for religious activity.