c.2750 – 1600 years ago Once we get to the Iron Age, we find dramatic new evidence for human settlement; particularly at a site known as Urswick Stone Walls (500m to the north-west of Little Urswick). Here are the remains of a specific form of large enclosed hamlet common in certain valleys in eastern Cumbria. Elsewhere sites like this form elements of complex later prehistoric estates, and it is known that Urswick Stone Walls is one of a number of such sites in Low Furness – but it’s a shame that it is the only complete survivor. You can wander amongst the grass-grown banks and stones that define the yards and buildings here, and get fine views of the moors of upland Furness. Small-scale excavations here in April 1906 produced pottery fragments, metalworking slag, animal bones and teeth, and a fragment of decorated bronze. As with the Druid’s Temple, the site is protected as an ancient monument of national significance, and it must not be disturbed.

The Roman period (c.43 – 410 AD) offers tantalising clues from a ‘lost’ Roman military site; clues which the Low Furness: First Light archaeological discovery programme will investigate in detail between 2003 and 2008. Current archaeological survey is revealing substantial quantities of distinctive Roman military-type masonry built into walls around Great Urswick. The only logical context for this is a fort, and close analysis of the documentary evidence relating to names of forts in this sector of the Roman Empire reveals a missing site in southern Cumbria known variously as Clanoventa, Cantiventi, Glannoventa and Glannibanta; which was occupied for part of its life by a military unit; Cohors I Morinorum. Despite this name having also been linked to other long-known Roman Cumbrian forts at Ravenglass and Ambleside, a strong case has recently been made for it applying to a site here in Low Furness. Iron ore, building and quern stones - all vital resources for the Romans - were all obtainable here in quantity, and Low Furness has long produced sporadic finds of Roman coins ranging from pre-invasion issues to those in circulation at the very end of the Empire. Will the First Light archaeological discovery programme rewrite the history books? Regular updates of this website will allow you to find out!