Over 2000 years ago, during what archaeologists call the Iron Age, people lived in one large and two smaller enclosures forming a rectangular settlement at Spindlestone Heugh. The settlement was defended by ditches, ramparts and natural cliffs. Archaeologists sometimes use the word hillfort to describe this kind of settlement. The ditches and ramparts are still visible as earthworks. Earthworks are all that remains of two stone round houses inside the larger enclosure. Spindlestone Heugh defended settlement is a Scheduled Monument protected by law.