Scheduled MonumentsEnglandWheathampstead earthwork incorporating Devils Dyke and the Slad

Wheathampstead earthwork incorporating Devils Dyke and the Slad

England
List entry 1003521
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Wheathampstead earthwork is a late Iron Age settlement consisting of two concentric defensive banks and ditches enclosing an area on the chalk uplands of Hertfordshire. The site, known locally as the Devils Dyke and the Slad, dates to the 1st century BC and is interpreted as a major oppidum or fortified settlement of the Trinovantes or Catuvellauni tribes. The earthwork demonstrates substantial engineering effort with the inner rampart rising prominently and outer defences creating a formidable barrier, suggesting a settlement of considerable importance in the pre-Roman Iron Age. The site's strategic location and scale indicate it functioned as a significant tribal centre during the final centuries before the Roman conquest of Britain.

Wheathampstead earthwork incorporating Devils Dyke and the Slad is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1003521. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Wheathampstead earthwork incorporating Devils Dyke and the Slad?

Wheathampstead earthwork is a late Iron Age settlement consisting of two concentric defensive banks and ditches enclosing an area on the chalk uplands of Hertfordshire. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1003521.

Who is responsible for protecting Wheathampstead earthwork incorporating Devils Dyke and the Slad?

Wheathampstead earthwork incorporating Devils Dyke and the Slad is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1003521.

What other scheduled monuments are near Wheathampstead earthwork incorporating Devils Dyke and the Slad?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Iron Age territorial boundary known as Beech Bottom Dyke (4.6 km), Dicket Mead Roman villa (5.7 km), Lockleys Roman villa (6 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in the UK — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Wheathampstead earthwork incorporating Devils Dyke and the Slad