Monument record 2590/0/12 - Possible prehistoric boundary

Extensive boundary ditch system possibly dating to the Iron Age. Initially identified as a cropmark and subsequently it was partially excavated ahead of development.

{2} The whole area is crossed by various ditches which intersect the Roman road, the pit alignment and the parallel ditch systems, but they form no coherent pattern.

{3} Archaeological evaluation was undertaken.Trenches 8, 9 and 10 all contained the same ditch. It was linear in plan with straight parallel edges and aligned north south. It had moderately steep sides and a slightly concave base in trench 9 and had steep sides and a flat base in trench 10. It contained possible late Iron Age pottery and struck flint in trench 9 and no finds in trench 10.
Trench 13: Ditch F1026 was 100 x 2.05 x 0.95m, linear in plan with straight, parallel edges and aligned north south. It had steep sides and a flate base. Its fills contained annular limestone fragments and 1st century AD pottery and animal bone.

{4} Ditch F2024 (120 x 1.5 x 0.5m) traversed the site north south, and appeared to be the earliest of the ditches on the site. The feature changes profile along its length. Slots excavated across the ditch yielded a small quantity of animal bone and one very small piece of late Iron Age pottery. The gap to the north of the trench possibly represents an entrance. The trench was picked up in trial trench 13.

<1> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Photographs). SNN104822.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.107 site 14 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77379.

<3> Pole C., 2007, Proposed Processing Plant, Elton Estate, Northamptonshire: An Archaeological Evaluation, p.12, 15 (unchecked) (Report). SNN105984.

<4> Barlow, G., 2008, Proposed Processing Plant, Elton Estate, Northamptonshire: A 'Strip, Map and Sample' Archaeological Excavation Interim Site Narrative, p.14-5 (unchecked) (Report). SNN106249.

<5> Stone, Pip, 2008, Proposed Processing Plant, Elton Estate, Warmington, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Excavation Post Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design, p.11 (unchecked) (Report). SNN106248.

<6> Stone, Pip, 2008, A Beaker Burial and Iron Age droveways on the Elton Estate, Warmington, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Note). SNN106232.

<7> Stone, Pip, 2008, The Proposed Processing Plant, Elton Estate, Warmington, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Excavation Research Archive Report, (unchecked) (Report). SNN106247.

<8> Stone, Pip, 2015, A Beaker burial and Iron Age droveway on the Elton Estate, Warmington (Article). SNN110321.

Record last edited

Jun 19 2023 8:42AM