Machicolation

Machicolation is a kind of building feature that was used long ago to help protect people inside buildings, like castles or forts. Think of it like a very special kind of window for the people inside the building to use to throw things at enemies or drop things on them if they tried to attack.

Machicolation is usually a hole or gap in the floor of a building, with a hole just above it that lets people look down to see what's going on below. The people inside the building would usually put heavy or dangerous things in the floor hole- like rocks or boiling hot water- that they could throw or drop on anyone trying to climb or break in.

It was a very important part of building design back then, because it helped keep the people inside safe while they waited for help or reinforcements to arrive.