Monument record 5390/1/1 - Neolithic Causewayed Ring Ditch, West Cotton

A Neolithic ring ditch excavated in 1986, one of several Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments excavated in the area in connection with the Raunds project (see associated records). The site comprised a sub-oval ditched enclosure up to circa 23 metres wide, with a single west-northwest-facing causeway or entrance. The ditch showed evidence for deliberate backfilling after some initial silting, and was later redefined via a shallow recut. There was no definite evidence for a bank or mound. The construction date of the ring ditch is estimated as 3340-3020 cal BC at 95% probability. Some 5 metres to the east of the ring ditch was a post-built structure circa 4 metres in diameter. No dating evidence was recovered, but it may have been broadly contemporary with the ring ditch. 30 metres to the north of the ring ditch was a pit containing Grooved Ware sherds and struck flints. Hazelnut shells from its fill produced a date of 2912-2667 BC. Another pit 10 metres further north contained two potsherds, two struck flints, and some human skull fragments. Within the excavated area and in the immediate vicinity of the ring ditch, later activity was represented by a double-ditch alignment and part of a field system of Middle Bronze Age date. Iron Age or Romano-British four- and six-post structures were also excavated

{1} Ring ditch cropmark represents possible henge.

{2} Falls into type called hengi-form monument, according to MPP Monument Class Descriptions.

{3} A Neolithic causewayed ring ditch was excavated at the south end of the alignment of monuments defined by the long enclosure at West Cotton. The ditch had been recut. There was no evidence of a bank. Placed deposits of antler were found in the southern terminus of the ditch.

{7} Two concentric ditches provided the upcast for the mound of Barrow 5, which overlay an earlier post-circle . The central pit contained a Beaker and five barbed and tanged arrowheads. Four cremation deposits were recovered.

{8} Built 3340-3020 Cal BC. Enclosed an area 21m north-south by 23m east-west, interrupted to the west by a 3m wide causeway flanked by rounded terminals. Very few artefacts. Two antler implements were found in a recut. No obvious contemporary internal features.

<1> FOARD G.R., ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (checked) (Oral Report). SNN50799.

<2> Addison C.M., 1991, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Note). SNN50657.

<3> Humble J, 1991, Raunds Area Project 1987-90, p.104 (unchecked) (Article). SNN104526.

<4> Dix B. (editor), 1986-7, The Raunds Area Project: Second Interim Report, p.11 (unchecked) (Article). SNN76070.

<5> FOARD G.R.; PEARSON T., 1985, The Raunds Area Project: First Interim Report, p.4 (unchecked) (Article). SNN69970.

<6> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<7> Humble J, 1991, Raunds Area Project 1987-90, p.104 (unchecked) (Article). SNN104526.

<8> Harding, J. and Healy, F., 2008, The Raunds Area Project: A Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscape in Northamptonshire, p. 98-103 (Report). SNN106245.

<9> Windell D.; Chapman A.; Woodiwiss J., 1990, From Barrows to Bypass: Excavations at West Cotton, Raunds, Northamptonshire, 1985-1989 (Report). SNN62621.

<10> Gibson, A. (Ed.), 1989, Midlands Prehistory: Some Recent and Current Researches Into the Prehistory of Central England, p. 85-94 (Series). SNN106973.

<11> Rault S.; Harding J., 1999, Raunds Prehistoric: Project Design for Completion of Analysis and Dissemination (Project Design). SNN108326.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 7:55PM