Monument record 9599 - Possible Prehistoric Settlement, Culworth Grounds

Aerial photographs depict cropmarks of several enclosures.

{2} Magnetometer survey undertaken in 2013 as part of the HS2 project revealed a substantial archaeological site of probable Iron Age date. The positive linear anomalies in this area represent a complex of ditched enclosures and associated boundaries. Some of the enclosures intersect with each other suggesting the site was long-lived with several phases of development. The largest enclosure, a D-shaped enclosure [previously identified as a cropmark] with a single east-facing entrance and wide ditches which produced exceptionally strong responses suggesting the presence of burnt soil or industrial residues within the ditch fill. At the eastern edge of the enclosure complex is a pit alignment, aligned north-west to south-east. To the north and south boundary ditches appear to be continuations of the pit alignment.

A fieldwalking survey identified a significant flint scatter which broadly extended over the same area as the features identified initially as cropmarks and further refined by the geophysical survey. A total of 68 pieces of worked flint were recovered. The flints resulting from primary knapping technology were three blades, four bladelets, 39 flakes, five cores, one core fragment and three chunks. The blades and bladelets are probably Mesolithic or early Neolithic in date. The five cores are typical of the later Neolithic. The reworked flints comprised three arrowheads, three scrapers, as well as a number of other items.

<1> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<2> High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd, 2013, London-West Midlands Environmental Statement: Technical Appendices, CFA15, Greatworth to Lower Boddington Survey reports (CH-004-015), Cultural heritage, p. 25-27 & 35-38 (Report). SNN111660.

Record last edited

Dec 11 2020 10:34AM