Find Spot record 8713/0/1 - Bronze Age to Anglo-Saxon finds, Federation Avenue

Bronze Age to Anglo-Saxon finds including `the Desborough Mirror' were recovered during ironstone workings.

{1} Finds. Iron Age pot sherds and a Bronze La Tene III brooch found (as well as Bronze Age components). The latter 2ins long and with bilateral spiral spring. Iron Age Bronze mirror was found in 1908. Also found were Roman pot sherds, querns, a greyware pot vessel and 6 or 8 coins. Also Saxon loom weights, 2 pot vessels, and a silver necklace (5.25 ins in diameter, plain with tapering ends joined by a slip knot - the necklace may be from this site or site RN:7982002)

{18} The food vessel has recently been given to the Northampton Museum; probably found in 1908 in ironstone quarries to the west of the town.

{20} During ironstone working at Desborough, in the S part of field 62 (SP 799827) (a) items ranging from the Bronze Age to Anglo Saxon times have been found during the past three years (1906-8)

1. An Iron Age Mirror (the "Desborough Mirror") of kidney form, the back of which is engraved in a scroll pattern.

2. A bronze brooch, 2 inches long, with bilateral spiral spring is of La Tene III type, contemporary with the mirror.

3. Pottery of the Bronze and Iron Ages, Roman and Anglo-Saxon, including two globular black vessels, doubtless accessory vessels in an Anglo-Saxon burial.

4. Other finds were querns and loom weights, and an Anglo-Saxon hollow silver necklet, 5-1/4 inches in diameter, of round section and quite plain. The tapering ends are joined by a slip knot.

The OS siting was authorised as 'approximately the spot' by Jesse Marlow in 1924: the finds, with the exception of the mirror, were in his possession. The mirror was in the BM.

{21} (SP 79898277) Early Iron Age Pottery and Bronze Mirror found.

{22} Mrs Marlow, daughter-in-law of the late Jesse Marlow described all that came into her possession:- a small necked greyware vessel, probably RB; a piece of bronze, probably the brooch; and 6 or 8 Ro coins. All have been sent to the BM for valuation.

<1> 1909, Proceedings of The Society of Antiquaries, p.333-4 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN25681.

<2> 1915, Proceedings of The Society of Antiquaries, p.123-4 (unchecked) (Series). SNN25682.

<3> 1924, The Antiquaries Journal, p.151-53 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN25683.

<4> 1906, Journal of The Northamptonshire Natural History Society and Field Club, p.37-43 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN25684.

<5> 1903, Cuttings Book, (unchecked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN55398.

<6> 1912, Journal of The Northamptonshire Natural History Society and Field Club, p.137-8 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN25685.

<7> 1960, Antiquity, p.207-10 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN25686.

<8> The Society of Antiquaries of London, 1909, Archaeologia (61), p.239-46 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN25687.

<9> Northampton Museum Topographical Index, (unchecked) (Index). SNN1470.

<10> 1970, Early Celtic Art Exhibition, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44509.

<11> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP78SE6 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<12> 1961, Proceedings of The Prehistoric Society, p.297 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN55396.

<13> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.33/Site 3 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

<14> Meaney A.L., 1964, Gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites, p.188 (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN10289.

<15> 1954, Ulster Journal of Archaeology, p.92-6 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN58539.

<16> Uncertain, 1925, The Antiquaries Journal, p.254 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN58869.

<17> Uncertain, 1922, The Antiquaries Journal, p.332 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN55397.

<18> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1978, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1977, p.178 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN2192.

<19> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.197 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<20> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Object Name Book reference, ONB 1924 p 49 (Archive). SNN113537.

<21> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1958 (Map). SNN112944.

<22> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 BHS 12-AUG-1969 (Notes). SNN111907.

<23> Historic England, Desborough Mirror (Archive). SNN115415.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 7:14PM