Iron Age and Romano-British settlements on Ward Law

Reasons for Designation

During the mid-prehistoric period (seventh to fifth centuries BC) a variety of different types of defensive settlements began to be constructed and occupied in the northern uplands of England. The most obvious sites were hillforts built in prominent locations. In addition to these a range of smaller sites, sometimes with an enclosed area of less than 1ha and defined as defended settlements, were also constructed. Some of these were located on hilltops, others are found in less prominent positions. The enclosing defences were of earthen construction, some sites having a single bank and ditch (univallate), others having more than one (multivallate). At some sites these earthen ramparts represent a second phase of defence, the first having been a timber fence or palisade. Within the enclosure a number of stone or timber-built round houses were occupied by the inhabitants. Stock may also have been kept in these houses, especially during the cold winter months, or in enclosed yards outside them. The communities occupying these sites were probably single family groups, the defended settlements being used as farmsteads. Construction and use of this type of site extended over several centuries, possibly through to the early Romano-British period (mid to late first century AD). Defended settlements are a rare monument type. They were an important element of the later prehistoric settlement pattern of the northern uplands and are important for any study of the developing use of fortified settlements during this period. All well-preserved examples are believed to be of national importance.



In Cumbria and Northumberland several distinctive types of native settlements dating to the Roman period have been identified. The majority were small, non- defensive, enclosed homesteads or farms. In many areas they were of stone construction, although in the coastal lowlands timber built variants were also common. In much of Northumberland, especially in the Cheviots, the enclosures were curvilinear in form. Further south a rectangular form was more common. Elsewhere, especially near the Scottish Border, another type occurs where the settlement enclosure was `scooped' into the hillslope. Frequently the enclosures reveal a regularity and similarity of internal layout. The standard layout included one or more stone round houses situated towards the rear of the enclosure, facing the single entranceway. In front of the houses were pathways and small enclosed yards. Homesteads normally had only one or two houses, but larger enclosures could contain as many as six. At some sites the settlement appears to have grown, often with houses spilling out of the main enclosure and clustered around it. At these sites up to 30 houses may be found. In the Cumbrian uplands the settlements were of less regimented form and unenclosed clusters of houses of broadly contemporary date are also known. These homesteads were being constructed and used by non-Roman natives throughout the period of the Roman occupation. Their origins lie in settlement forms developed before the arrival of the Romans. These homesteads are common throughout the uplands where they frequently survive as well preserved earthworks. In lowland coastal areas they were also originally common, although there they can frequently only be located through aerial photography. All homestead sites which survive substantially intact will normally be identified as nationally important.

The defended settlement on Ward Law is reasonably well preserved and it retains significant archaeological deposits. The importance of the monument is enhanced by the survival of similar and other forms of later prehistoric settlement in the vicinity. It will contribute to any study of the wider settlement pattern at this time.

Details

The monument includes a defended settlement of Iron Age date and a later settlement of Romano-British date situated on the end of a promontory above the Wardlaw Burn. The eastern end of the earlier settlement has been partially obscured by the remains of the Romano-British settlement. The Iron Age settlement is roughly oval in shape and measures 75m north-south by 93m east-west within a single earthen rampart, 4m wide, standing to a maximum height of 0.4m above the interior. Surrounding the rampart, but now only well defined on the north, west and south sides, there is a broad ditch, 6m wide and 1.2m deep, below the top of the rampart. Outside the ditch there is a counterscarp bank, 3m wide and 0.6m high, above the top of the ditch. Within the enclosure there are several hollows and scoops which may represent the sites of prehistoric timber houses; however, an indistinct rectilinear enclosure and the foundations of two circular structures situated to the north east of the settlement are interpreted as Romano-British remains and, together with those within the enclosure, they are thought to represent reuse of the defended settlement during the Roman period.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

21050

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Charlton, D B, Day, J C, An Archaeological Survey of the MOD Training Area, Otterburn, (1977), 6
Charlton, B, Day, J, An Archaeological Survey of the MOD training area at Otterburn in Ward Law, (1977), 6

End of official list entry

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