Monument record 2907 - Roman industrial settlement, Blackmore Thick Farm

Roman industrial settlement around Blackmore Thick Farm. A number of finds including pottery kilns, iron slag, silver and bronze Roman coins, fragments of a rotary quern and pottery have been found here. There are also faint cropmarks of a hollow way, an enclosure and a number of ditches.

{1} Fieldwalking in 1971; stone area and RB pot sherds including Samian, tile, wall plaster, coin of Hadrian and three coin moulds. Minor excavation undertaken in 1954 of a small updraught Roman pottery kiln; excavated by Dr Smith; Part of the upper stone of a brown granite quern found in a stony patch in Long Foxholes field, now in
Kettering Museum at SP 9868 9319.

{2} Finds indicating a large settlement have been discovered over an area of 10 hectares. The remains include the following: (a) Crop-marks (SP 98039336), rather indistinct on air photographs, but comprising a number of ditches, a circular feature and two parallel ditches, perhaps a trackway. (b) Building (SP 98189342) revealed by ploughing. Finds of pottery, including samian, three coin moulds and a silver coin of Hadrian; much building-stone, tiles and pieces of wall-plaster suggest a major building. (c) Kiln (SP 98259331), excavated in 1954, of small updraught type, producing mainly reddish-brown thin-walled flagons; perhaps 1st-century. (d) Ditch (SP 98539328) found when a silage pit was dug in 1954; it was V-shaped and contained Roman pottery. (e) Building (SP 98689319); dense scatter of stone, pottery and the upper part of a quern. (f) Building (?) (SP 99159365); scatter of stone and pottery. (g) Iron-Working Site (SP 980929); a large area of blackened ground with iron slag. A coin of Constantine I is recorded nearby. A decorated Saxon strap-end has been found in the area. (h) Roman Pottery (SP 97909323); large quantities found over a wide area. (i) Miscellaneous Finds (unlocated but from the area) include pottery, quern fragments, coins, and two brooches. In addition a leaf-shaped arrowhead and other flint implements have been found (Air photographs in NMR; RAF VAP CPE/UK 2109, 4104–5, JRS, XLIV (1954), 93; BNFAS, 7 (1972), 32 and 42; OS Record Cards; inf. J. Hadman). A pot, containing between 150 and 200 denarii, recorded as being found in Bulwick parish in the late 19th century actually came from this site (SP 993938; NM Records; Num. Chron., (NS), XX (1879), 219).

{3}List of finds 1953;

{6} The OS NGR for kilns, see also RCHM(E). The Colyers say J.P. Wild excavated and there is much pottery at the farm, some prob. IA. Site may run under farm as saddle quern and silver coin of Comodus recovered from holes (Farm 250m SE NGR given).

{7} A small updraught pottery kiln excavated by Dr Smith, (dimensions 3 feet 10 inches x 3 feet, excluding stakehole). Produced mainly thin walled reddish-brown flagons - probably 1st century.

{9} SP 984 932 Dark area with very burnt and shattered pebbles. No finds for dating.

{10} Dr DJ Smith (1) notes the following sites -. Towards the north west corner of Top Blackmore Thick Field, the farmer, has ploughed a stony area and picked up pottery including samian. Also found here were pieces of plaster with the impression of wattles - suggests a villa site.

{12} All the fields surrounding the farm are arable and with the exception of Grass Crayley which is fresh plough (and from where no finds have been reported) all are under young crop and perambulation was not possible. Mr Colyer said the indicated sites and descriptions of materials found are correct and as well as the material sent to Kettering Museum he has retained a fair selection of pottery, quern fragments and coins. He also has two denarii, one found in the silage pit, and one from `elsewhere' and coin moulds classified by Kettering Museum as counterfeit.

{3, 13} SP 9818 9342: Dr DJ Smith notes the following sites -. Towards the north west corner of Top Blackmore Thick Field, Mr M Colyer, the farmer, has ploughed a stony area and picked up pottery including samian. Also found here were pieces of plaster with the impression of wattles - suggests a villa site.

SP 9825 9331: A small updraught pottery kiln excavated by Dr Smith, (now published {7}, dimensions 3 feet 10 inches x 3 feet, excluding stakehole. Produced mainly thin walled reddish-brown flagons - probably 1st century.

SP 9853 9328: A silage pit cut Easter 1954, sectioned a V-shaped trench 2 feet 6 inches - 4 feet wide containing fragments of Roman pottery.

Area SP 9868 9319: Part of the upper stone of a brown granite quern found in a stony patch in Long Foxholes field, now in Kettering Museum.

SP 9915 9365: A stony patch with pottery on the north west side of Far Crayley Field (Smith did not see pottery but says probably Roman), [Kettering Museum {3} note].

SP 9869 93k4). Approximate spot where upper stone of rotary quern found 1953.
SP 9800 9297: Blackened ground and quantities of what appear to be iron slag found spread over an area several yards square. Specimens in museum. (SP 98119293). Bronze coin of Constantine I found and in possession of Mr Colyer.

{15} Mr Colyer (farmer/owner) has read the recorded data and confirms the information and locations given.

The major portion of the finds are with Kettering and Northampton Museums although Mr Colyer retains selected pieces, notably the coins, in his personal collection.

There are no visible surveyable remains of occupation, the major portion of the farmland now being under high crop restricting perambulation. APs held by the family (copies of those mentioned in Authority {8}) are poor obliques showing a corner of a ditched field or enclosure and an accompanying drove reminiscent of the Romano-British fenland settlements to the east. OS APs {16} show only vague doubtful ditches here.

Topographically the settlement occupies a gentle open ridge some 90 metres above sea level, there is an adequate adjacent water supply. No Roman road has been recorded in the area.

The profusion of finds suggests an industrial/agricultural settlement extending from the 1st century. No further evidence was noted to confirm Dr Smith's suggested villa.

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP99SE2 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.86/Site 10 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<3> Kettering Museum Records, Annotated record map (Catalogue). SNN28658.

<4> Moore W.R.G., 1968, Roman Settlement in the Upper and Middle Nene Valley, p.69 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN15188.

<5> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.192/Site 10 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<6> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall, Southwick/Site 7 (Database). SNN102279.

<7> 1974, Journal of the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery (10), 10/6-12 (Journal). SNN9217.

<8> Hadman, J A, 1972, Northamptonshire Archaeology, 7/32 (Journal). SNN35282.

<9> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall, Southwick/Site 8 (Database). SNN102279.

<10> Dr D J Smith, Unknown, Blackmore Thick Farm (Oral Report). SNN111304.

<11> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, NCCAP:SP9893/1-6 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<12> Seaman, B H, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 BHS 19-MAR-1970 (Notes). SNN111541.

<13> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1958. (Map). SNN112944.

<14> Moore W.R.G., 1968, Roman Settlement in the Upper and Middle Nene Valley, p. 69 (Uncertain). SNN15188.

<15> Colquhoun, FD, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F2 FDC 21-JUN-1976 (Notes). SNN114457.

<16> Aerial Photograph, APs (OS/73/035/141-2 1973) (Photographs). SNN112974.

<17> 1879, The Numismatic Chronicle (Series 1), 219 20 (Series). SNN42861.

<18> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire I (North-East), 890472 (Archive). SNN113295.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 7:28PM