5.4 On the Fence

Just as fences and organized settlements aid the collection of wealth and the exertion of power, so too do the existence of organized settlements and fences imply a degree of power and organization within the society to begin with.

Imagine you are archaeologist who comes across an 8th-century settlement surrounded by a fence, with a large hall and several smaller buildings and a well aligned to the hall. What are some hypotheses you might make about how the settlement was built?