CELTIC BURNGREAVE

...THE CAMP AT ROE WOOD

The earliest evidence of people living in Burngreave is from the Iron Age – maybe 2500 years ago. These people – sometimes called the Celts – originally came from what is now southern Germany. The Celts were farmers, brave and warlike. From time to time they would set out to settle new lands. From 450 to 250 years BCE (Before Common Era) they were the most powerful people in Europe, living in France and Spain in the west, Britain and Ireland in the North, Italy and Greece in the south and Turkey to the east.
The hill fort which existed in Roe Woods was built and lived in by Celtic people. The fort was demolished in the 1930s and is now under the tennis courts on the Forgemasters sports ground. In the 1920s though, you could still see the mounds shown. Local people used the 200 foot wide circle for bare knuckle fights. Originally the Celts may have defended this hillside position. The Celts were some of the first people to have horses and may have rode them in and out of the fort.
“About quarter of a mile to the north-east of Shirecliffe Hall, Pitsmoor, is a wood known as Great Roe Wood. Near its western edge is a nameless earthwork, hitherto little noticed, but once or twice described as a “camp.” This earthwork originally consisted of one large circular mound and an outer ditch” S. O. Addy “Hall of Waltheof” 1893

The Celts were a proud, brave people, quick to defend their honour and warlike in spirit. They often got involved in cattle raids and disputes and were trained to use weapons from childhood. Women had a strong role in Celtic society. Women had legal rights to own and inherit property and warrior women were given high status. Celtic beliefs involved the druid religion which involved animal and probably human sacrifice. Water was also important in Celtic beliefs. The tradition of throwing coins into wishing wells and well dressing comes from the Celts. The King Arthur story reflects Celtic beliefs with strong women characters and a sword thrown into a pool.
Roman pottery was also found at the Roe Wood hill fort. Next month we ask whether Burngreave was the front line between the Romans and the Celts at the time when warrior Queen Catimandua wielded power in the Pennine area