there is industrial archaeology, including the grantham canal and the remains of the melton mowbray navigation. windmill sites, ironstone working and smelting archaeological evidence suggest that melton borough was densely populated in bronze and iron ages. many small village communities existed and strategic points at burrough hill and belvoir were fortified. there is also evidence to suggest that the site of melton mowbray in the wreake valley was inhabited before roman occupation (ad 43).