Oldfield Hill Enclosure: A Hidden Iron Age Settlement in Meltham, West Yorkshire
Location: Grid Reference: SE08741009 (Meltham, West Yorkshire)
Tucked away in the tranquil landscape of Meltham, West Yorkshire, lies the Oldfield Hill Enclosure—an ancient site that offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. With its roots tracing back to the Iron Age, this fortified settlement provides crucial insights into the lives of early inhabitants in the region.
Overview of Oldfield Hill Enclosure
Oldfield Hill features a distinctive 'D'-shaped enclosure, a unique form typical of prehistoric settlements. Positioned 340 meters northeast of Wentworth Farm, the enclosure spans approximately 80 meters by 85 meters. The earth and stone banks, which measure around 9 meters in width and rise about 0.8 meters high, surround the settlement. In most parts of the enclosure, a deep internal ditch can be found, though on the southeast side, the steep natural scarp negates the need for a ditch. Instead, the bank runs along the edge of this sharp drop-off, adding to the site’s defensive potential.
Excavation and Historical Discoveries
The first formal excavation of the site took place in 1923 under the direction of I.A. Richmond. During this initial investigation, Richmond uncovered a double gateway and a causeway located on the northeast side of the enclosure, hinting at the site's complex structure. Later excavations in the early 1960s, led by J.P. Toomey, revealed further details about the site's significance, suggesting it was not just a simple settlement but likely a fortified farmstead. The presence of stone discs, flint fragments, a Neolithic leaf-shaped arrowhead, and a half-finished quern stone pointed to both the agricultural and defensive nature of the site.
The Iron Age Context
Oldfield Hill Enclosure is widely regarded as an Iron Age defensive site. Its location and structure suggest it served as a fortified farmstead—possibly a community’s center of agriculture and defense. The site's most prominent feature, the stone box rampart, remains a defining characteristic. It was constructed using material from the surrounding ditch, and though partially robbed and collapsed, it still offers valuable insight into the construction techniques of the era.
Recent archaeological surveys have provided further details. On the southern side of the enclosure, a rock-cut ditch was discovered, shedding light on the defensive features of the site. A pre-rampart palisade, found on the western and northern sides, suggests that additional fortifications may have been added over time to reinforce the enclosure's defenses.
include 2 stone discs, a beehive quern, iron slag and very small fragments of pottery.
Significance and Preservation
Oldfield Hill is now a scheduled monument, which means it is legally protected due to its historical significance. It stands as a rare example of a fortified settlement from the Iron Age in this part of Yorkshire, offering researchers and visitors a valuable opportunity to connect with the region's ancient past.
Further investigation and excavation work have provided a more detailed picture of the site's structure, including the 1.2-meter-high rampart and the maximum depth of the ditch, which reaches 0.7 meters on the western side. Although the site has been subjected to some erosion and robbing of materials, much of the original layout remains intact, offering future generations a glimpse into a time long past.
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