Ancient Settlement Unearthed in Fordingbridge: Iron Age to Roman Era Revealed!
Archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology have made a remarkable discovery on the western edge of Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Ahead of a planned housing development by CALA Homes, the team uncovered the remains of a previously unknown rural settlement, offering a fascinating glimpse into life spanning the Late Iron Age to the Roman period.
Photo Credit: Cotswold Archaeology
The excavation, which covers 0.84 hectares on a river terrace overlooking Allen Brook and its tributaries, has revealed over 2,000 archaeological features. Located just outside the New Forest National Park, the site paints a detailed picture of domestic life, evolving land use, and local industry in ancient Britain.
Perhaps the most striking find is a group of at least 15 roundhouses, each roughly 13 metres in diameter. Dating from the Late Iron Age into the early Roman period, these dwellings were typically oriented to the east or southeast and some featured porches. The overlap of certain structures suggests the area was continuously occupied, with homes being rebuilt over generations.
The presence of trackways, ovens, and boundary ditches points to a stable, possibly expanding, settlement over time, far more than just a temporary hamlet.
Photo Credit: Cotswold Archaeology
Everyday activities are clearly evident from the artefacts uncovered. Numerous fragments of quern stones, used for grinding grain, were found across the site. Among them, one intact rotary quern made of green sandstone stood out. This stone likely originated in Sussex, suggesting trade links or long-distance resource movement.
Ruth Shaffery, a stone expert with Cotswold Archaeology, explained how rare it is to find a complete example: “Only about 1% of querns are found intact. This one clearly had a long working life, it was first used as a base stone before being repurposed as a top stone, with signs of wear and even a carved slot for a wooden handle.”
Other finds include clay spindle whorls and possible loom weights, indicating that textile production was also part of the household economy.
Photo Credit: Cotswold Archaeology
As the settlement moved into the Middle and Late Roman periods, archaeologists believe its purpose began to shift. Evidence suggests the area transitioned from purely domestic life to more industrial activities. New ditches and pathways hint at a reorganisation of space, while finds such as a crucible indicate on-site metalworking.
Large quantities of fired clay, misfired pottery (known as “wasters”), and burnt flint point towards ceramic production. In one intriguing case, misfired potsherds were used to line a pit, while another spot revealed dumped fired clay that had cooled into a distinctive dome shape, possibly the remnants of a kiln or similar structure.
These discoveries raise the possibility that the site evolved into a local production centre during the Roman era. Ongoing analysis of the pottery aims to determine whether these ceramics match known types from New Forest pottery kilns, or whether they represent an entirely new, previously undocumented source.
Cotswold Archaeology commented: “With artefact analysis now underway, the excavations at Fordingbridge are already providing fresh insights into how this rural community grew, adapted, and played a role in the wider regional economy.”
From humble roundhouses to bustling workshops, Fordingbridge’s buried history is revealing a rich and complex past, one that mirrors the broader story of Britain’s transformation from Iron Age tribal society to a Romanised province.