Monument record 4946/0/25 - Roman settlement, former Abbey Works site

Evidence of Roman settlement, including ditches, pits, a possible oven and road, was identified during trial trench excavation.

{1} Cut features of Roman date were only located in Trenches 1 and 11. There were several cut features in Trench 1, including pits, probable ditches and a small circular domestic oven. The intercutting of features at the northern end of the trench indicates some duration of occupation. There was a single pit in Trench 11. Given the widespread pottery distribution and the fact that many trenches were not excavated below medieval levels, there is no doubt that Roman features are likely to occur across the entire area occupied by the main abbey buildings. The metalled surface in Trench 2 may represent either a yard surface or a length of road or track aligned north-south.

{2} A small area of hard standing found in an evaluation of the former Abbey works site to the east of the junction along Weedon Road may be part of a road but its north-south alignment suggests that it is more likely to have been a yard or side track or road.

<1> Chapman A., 2000, Archaeological Evaluation Of The Former Express Lift Company, Abbey Works, Weedon Road, Northampton, P. 26 (Report). SNN100471.

<2> Taylor J., 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Duston (Roman), Section 3.1 Communications (checked) (Report). SNN103115.

<3> Chapman A , Chapman P, 2000-01, Northampton, Express Lift Company, Abbey Works, (unchecked) (Note). SNN104001.

Record last edited

Apr 17 2023 9:48AM