Monument record 9181 - Iron Age settlements, south of the A45

Geophysical survey and subsequent trial trench excavation identified two probable middle Iron Age settlements connected by a trackway. The settlements were defined by rectilinear and curvilinear enclosures, many of which had internal features including pits and round house rings ditches. The settlements appear to have been separated by a contemporary field system.

{1} Geophysical survey in Fields 7 and 8 identified enclosures in two separate areas joined by a ditched trackway. The enclosures ranged from rectilinear to sub-circular in form. The two complexes of enclosures may have been separate farmsteads. The results largely confirmed the information from aerial photography.

{2} Subsequent trial trench excavation confirmed the geophysical survey results and indicated that the features were mostly middle Iron Age in date, with some settlement into the later Iron Age. The two farmsteads recorded in this location are part of a wider swathe of contemporary settlements principally situated on the first river terrace, concentrating on small gravel islands with agriculture in between. The area between the two settlements did not have any strong geophysical anomalies but the trial trenching showed that this was largely due to alluvial deposits covering the archaeological features. However, the propensity to flooding meant that this area was part of a field system during the Iron Age period.

<1> Masters P., 2003, Earls Barton Quarry Western Extension, Northamptonshire Geophysical and Fieldwalking Surveys, p.11 (checked) (Report). SNN102439.

<2> Walsh T.; Maull A., 2003, An Archaeological Trial Excavation at Earls Barton Quarry (Western Extension), p.28 (checked) (Report). SNN103300.

<3> Rees G., 2008, Enclosure Boundaries and Settlement Individuality in The Iron Age, (unchecked) (Article). SNN106040.

Record last edited

Feb 13 2026 2:30PM