Monument record 2040/1 - Possible Romano-British Farmstead

Cropmarks of a rectangular enclosure divided into three parts, associated with a large number of pits, probable pit alignments, and numerous linear ditches. Roman pottery and building debris have been found in the area. Possibly a farmstead or small villa.

{1} Fieldwalking recovered Romano-British pot sherds in a limited quantity over c.1000 sq m. to the north-west of General Spinney. The finds were not retained. March 1978.

{5} A.R Kirk (Forestry Commission) is now in Cornwall but R Hollowell confirms the site; he has not fully perambulated it; and the sherds, 'only a couple', found adjacent to General Spinney were not retained: (they were grey and colour coated ware). Black earth and burnt stones were also found in 1966 (a)

{6} Roman settlement (SP 837627) in the SE of the parish, on clay and gravel at 57 m. above OD. Air photographs (in NMR) show what is perhaps a large rectangular enclosure divided into three parts, associated with a large number of pits, probable pit alignments, and numerous linear ditches. Roman pottery has been found in the area.

{7, 11} Cropmarks of rectangular ditched enclosures AP. R Hollowell July, 1969.

{8} A surface scatter of stone and Roman pottery. "The ditch probably represents the boundary or enclosure ditch of a small Roman farmstead or villa, the main buildings of which were constructed in stone".

{9} Geophysical survey and trial trench excavation were undertaken. Roman activity appears to have been largely confined to a single settlement in the western part of field 6. It is uncertain if this settlement represents a contraction and perhaps nucleation of settlements or if it relates to a more long term movement of settlement within a defined landscape. The remains comprise an extensive pattern of enclosure fields and trackways, with a number of buildings, including possible industrial features. At least two phases of activity are present.

{12} (SP 837627). Enclosures on AP in 1979, also (SP 836626), faint ditch cropmarks.

<1> FOARD G.R., 1978, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN51366.

<2> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1966, Bulletin of the Northamptonshire Federation of Archaeological Societies (Roman), p.7 (unchecked) (Article). SNN107200.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP86SW15 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> HOLLOWELL R., 1971, Aerial Photography and Fieldwork in the Upper Nene Valley, 6/11/SITE 8 (Journal). SNN106546.

<5> Moore W.R.G., 1968, Roman Settlement in the Upper and Middle Nene Valley, p.54 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN15188.

<6> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

<7> Northampton Museum Topographical Index, (unchecked) (Index). SNN1470.

<8> Williams J.H., 1972, Northampton to Wellingborough Expressway: Archaeological Survey, Map 3 (unchecked) (Report). SNN59874.

<9> Walsh T.; Maull A., 2003, An Archaeological Trial Excavation at Earls Barton Quarry (Western Extension), P. 29 (checked) (Report). SNN103300.

<10> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1966, Bulletin of the Northamptonshire Federation of Archaeological Societies (Prehistoric), p. 1 (Article). SNN19308.

<11> Aerial Photograph, R Hollowell (Photographs). SNN112974.

<12> Brown AE, 1980, Aerial Photography 1980, p. 177 (Notes). SNN104579.

<13> Aerial Photograph, (CUAP AD091 ZE 29-30) (Photographs). SNN112974.

Record last edited

Jul 11 2024 2:08PM