Why were early mortars fired at elevations greater than 45 degrees?

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Early mortars were fired at elevations greater than 45 degrees primarily to achieve a high, arcing trajectory, which allowed them to lob projectiles over obstacles such as fortress walls during siege warfare.12

Unlike traditional artillery pieces designed for direct, low-trajectory fire, mortars were specifically engineered with very wide, short bores to deliver munitions into protected or concealed locations, including trench lines and gun pits, that could not be reached by direct fire. By utilizing these high-angle trajectories, operators could effectively strike targets that were shielded from horizontal fire, making the mortar an essential tool for overcoming defensive fortifications.12