Stanwick
Stanwick is the largest Iron Age hill fort in England, a massive 650 acres enclosed by a large stone faced rampart and ditch. The most unusual aspect of Stanwick apart from it's sheer size, is its very shortlived chronology. Stanwick was built around AD 50 and ceased to be used around 70 AD. The fort has raised many questions since it is not located in an easily defended position (mainly on flat ground) and its sheer size would make it difficult to control communications in time of attack. Recent work by Haselgrove at Stanwick has gone further to suggest it may not have been a fortress at all - rather a bloated trading post.
In summary Haselgrove suggested that Stanwick grew so large to hold goods to be traded. Based on quite a large research program Haselgrove thinks Stanwick fell out of use was around 75AD, due to Romanisation moving operations elsewhere.
Haselgrove's investigations in the 1980's discovered that Stanwick grew from an earlier enclosure of 27 acres, which had existed from around 400BC, however this earlier enclosure has been estimated to be a typical settlement for the period, with no sign of a steady development towards Stanwick, moreover, Stanwick seems to have been planted at that location as a completely new piece of fortification. The new fort of 650 acres, built in one stage, has been found to contain a large quantity of early Roman pottery and other goods synonymous with trade. This quickly fell out of use around 75AD. During his excavations Haselgrove found a large amount of Roman pottery and other finds associated with high status. Including a significant building which Haselgrove felt indicated high status. Haselgrove found no evidence that the fort had been attacked.
Based on the wealth of Roman artifacts and the lack of Roman hostilities Haselgrove felt that an alternative explanation could be aired. Could it be that Stanwick was built as a significant trading post and was possibly the capital of a pro Roman client kingdom? It's close proximity to major routes to and from Scotland meant it was well positioned to play a key role in controlling the import of goods. Its large size being ideal for the storage of stock prior to distribution. As well as serving as a warehouse for the Roman goods which they were being exchanged for.
After the conquest of Brigantia, trading relied on Roman control, which shifted trade away from Stanwick, hence its rapid demise, possibly to the favour of Piercebridge.
Could it be therefore, that after the Roman conquest of Brigantia the trading operations were relocated to Piercebridge? If so, what was being traded?
N.B. It is important to note that historically Stanwick has been associated with Venutius, as his campaign fortress against Cartimandua, after their marital break up. Cartimandua remained Queen until Venutius eventually pushed her out of Brigantia. None the less, Haselgrove is a respected archaeologist and it may well be that his interpretation of the "jigsaw" will need reworking but his evidence should still remain solid and be worthy of regard.
© Brigantes Nation 2002