Monument record 1765/0/9 - Prehistoric Round Barrow (Barrow 3)

Barrow 3 was excavated between 1985 and 1987 as part of the wider Raunds Area Project. Concentric rings of postholes, forming a possible 'timber circle' pre-dated the barrow mound.

{1}Earthwork; a possible Bronze Age round barrow, 28m in diameter and 1m high with no trace of a ditch; situated on the flood plain at SP 9638 7162

{2} The mound is described as a 'tumulus' by Dr. Robb and is cut by a lane; well spread by ploughing;

{3} Contour plan. Probably at least partly turf-built.

{4} Barrow 3 had been constructed in several phases. The substantial mound, which overlay a series of concentric rings and arcs of postholes, was encircled by a small irregular and recut ditch c35m in diameter. The large central pit contained no human remains. Two unaccompanied cremations were found in pits probably associated with the later phases of the mounds construction and use.

{6} Excavation of the barrow was undertaken over three seasons between 1985 and 1987. The earliest features were several rings and arcs of postholes, predating the barrow mound itself. The evidence offered by the postholes points to three pairs of rings, and one single circle, with two possible rings further inwards. A single radiocarbon date of 2140–1740 cal BC (3590±70 BP; OxA-3051) can provide only a terminus post quem for that posthole and for the mound. The construction date of the mound is estimated at 2180–1930 cal BC at 95% probability.

Ploughing of the gravel terrace, probably during the later Iron Age and Roman periods, damaged the mounds of Barrows 1-3 and disturbed the Bronze Age land surface which now survives only beneath the mounds.

{8} One of two mounds reagrded as a tumulus by the late Dr Robb. (SP 96387152) diam 44yds, ht 4'8".

{9} Mound A is situated at SP 96397153 ; it appears to be well spread by ploughing. No surface finds were made. See annotated 25" survey.

Classification not possible without excavation but it has the appearance of ploughed over tumulus.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.57/Site 1 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP97SE17 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Garwood, P., 1985, Irthlingborough Barrow Group 1985: A Summary Interim Assessment of the 1985 Survey, and Proposals For Future Work, (checked) (Interim Report). SNN46797.

<4> Humble J, 1991, Raunds Area Project 1987-90, 23/104-5 (checked) (Article). SNN104526.

<5> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<6> Dix B. (editor), 1986-7, The Raunds Area Project: Second Interim Report, 21/5 (checked) (Article). SNN76070.

<7> Harding, J. and Healy, F., 2008, The Raunds Area Project: A Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscape in Northamptonshire, p. 148-153 (Report). SNN106245.

<8> Annotated Record Map, Corr 6" 15.5.50 (H C R Frost) (Map). SNN112961.

<9> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 27-NOV-69 (Note). SNN111452.

Record last edited

Apr 24 2025 2:10PM