Monument record 631/0/17 - Bronze Age Barrow with Secondary Roman Useage

Barrow on Borough Hill excavated by Baker in 1823. A primary and secondary cremations were found. Roman pottery may indicate later use.

{1} Plan. A solitary circular tumulus of low elevation at Borough Hill. Two or three years before excavation a jet amulet was picked up on the surface of the barrow. Excavation in 1823 uncovered a secondary inhumation with animal bones. The primary deposit comprised a cremation with urn, and also fragments of at least two or three other urns.

{2} The tumulus in field B. [a reference to the above; shown on Edgar's plan - see AO:60:381:4 on SP 56 SE 6] is still visible though inconspicuous.

{3} A small roughly circular mound some 10m diameter x 0.25m high, much mutilated, and with no trace of a ditch. It was excavated by Baker in 1823 after it had been ploughed. He discovered a primary cremation accompanied by fragments of a large urn "ornamented below the rim with a zig-zag pattern" (possibly a collared urn), as well as fragments of at least two or three other urns and a "small part of patera of light-red ware". The latter may have been Roman, and thus a secondary feature. Certainly a secondary inhumation with animal bones was also found. Baker also records that two or three years before his work a broken jet amulet had been picked up on the surface of the barrow.

{4} At SP58946306. The barrow is much reduced and spread. It is crossed by a post and wire fence on its south-east side. In poor condition on 4/5/1962.

{5} Plan.

{7} Another bowl barrow is situated in northern part of monument at the entrance to the small hillfort; it survives as low mound 10m diam; 2 human burials were discovered in the mound during a partial excavation in 1823;

{11} This barrow, much reduced and spread is crossed by a post and wire fence on the SE side. In poor condition. Published survey (25") correct.

<1> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.347 (Book). SNN77328.

<2> Edgar W., 1923, Borough Hill & Its History, p.37 (Book). SNN47010.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.63+fig.54 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP56SE18 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 25" Series, (unchecked) (Map). SNN15221.

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

<7> English Heritage, 1994, English Heritage Scheduling Notification, (part checked) (Report). SNN1342.

<8> Cadman, G., 1993, Borough Hill - Reconnaissance Survey, (checked) (Note). SNN50006.

<9> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire, p. 520 (Book). SNN10113.

<10> Chapman, DJ, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 DJC 27-OCT-60 (Note). SNN112959.

<11> Phillips, AS, 1962, Field Investigators Comments, 04-MAY-62 (Note). SNN113328.

<12> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, 09-JAN-69 (Note). SNN111452.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 7:22PM