Monument record 9433 - Possible Romano-British farmstead, south of Harley Way
Please read our guidance about the use of Northamptonshire Historic Environment Record data.
Summary
Fieldwalking survey in 1982 identified a Roman pottery scatter. Subsquent archaeological investigation has found an area of late Iron Age and settlement dated to the 1st-2nd centuries. It comprised three large ditched enclosures constructed in two phases, as well as numerous quarry pits, postholes, a trackway and a limestone surface. A T-shaped corn drying oven and evidnce for secondary iron smithing were also found.
Map
Type and Period (7)
- FARMSTEAD? (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
- SUBRECTANGULAR ENCLOSURE (Early Roman - 50 AD? to 199 AD?)
- PIT (Early Roman - 50 AD? to 199 AD?)
- ENCLOSURE (Early Roman - 50 AD? to 199 AD?)
- TRACKWAY? (Early Iron Age to Late Roman - 800 BC? to 409 AD?)
- INHUMATION (Late Iron Age to Early Roman - 100 BC? to 199 AD?)
- CORN DRYING OVEN (Late Iron Age to Early Roman - 100 BC? to 199 AD?)
Full Description
{1} Geophysical survey identified a set of positive linear magnetic anomalies describing a number of rectilinear enclosures.
{2} Archaeological trial trench excavation identified a number of Romano-British ditches, a probable trackway and a single pit dating to the 1st and early 2nd centuries AD. The skeletal remains of a human baby were found at the top of the pit. However the general absence of artefacts and complete absence of fine pottery indicates that it was a low status rural farmstead represented by a number of overlapping enclosures.
{3} Excavation of the Roman site, which comprised a series of substantial rectilinear enclosures forming a multiphase system, with a small number of features associated with agricultural processing and possible industrial activity. A number of post-built structures were identified.
The earliest phase dated from the late Iron Age or 1st to 2nd centuries. The earliest, oval enclosure was replaced by a Roman rectilinear enclosure. A T-shaped corn dryer was identified in the later enclosure. Also found in the enclosure was a pit with a highly burnt fill and associated metal working slag.
<1> Butler, A. & Walford, J., 2011, Archaeological geophysical survey: Land east of Harley Way, Benefield, Northamptonshire, p.2 (checked) (Report). SNN108160.
<2> Walker, C., 2011, Archaeological evaluation of land at Harley Way, Benefield, Northamptonshire, p.7 (checked) (Report). SNN108163.
<3> Finn, C., 2017, Late Iron Age to early Roman settlement and medieval settlement at Harley Way, Benefield (Article). SNN110930.
<4> Finn, C., 2017, Late Iron Age to early Roman settlement and medieval settlement at Harley Way, Benefield (Article). SNN110930.
<5> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall (Database). SNN102279.
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SNN108160 Report: Butler, A. & Walford, J.. 2011. Archaeological geophysical survey: Land east of Harley Way, Benefield, Northamptonshire. Northamptonshire Archaeology Fieldwork Reports. 11/178. Northants Archaeology. p.2 (checked).
- <2> SNN108163 Report: Walker, C.. 2011. Archaeological evaluation of land at Harley Way, Benefield, Northamptonshire. Northamptonshire Archaeology Fieldwork Reports. 11/203. Northants Archaeology. p.7 (checked).
- <3> SNN110930 Article: Finn, C.. 2017. Late Iron Age to early Roman settlement and medieval settlement at Harley Way, Benefield. Northamptonshire Archaeology. 39. Northamptonshire Arch Soc.
- <4> SNN110930 Article: Finn, C.. 2017. Late Iron Age to early Roman settlement and medieval settlement at Harley Way, Benefield. Northamptonshire Archaeology. 39. Northamptonshire Arch Soc.
- <5> SNN102279 Database: Hall D.N.. 1960-1999. Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall. 10/02/2003. Rockingham Pr SMR.xls. Excel97 + Mapinfo files.
Finds (9)
- SHERDS (Early Roman - 50 AD to 199 AD) Quantity: >10
- ANIMAL REMAINS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD) Quantity: Some
- SHERDS (Early Roman - 50 AD to 199 AD) Quantity: 2
- SHERDS (Early Roman - 50 AD to 199 AD) Quantity: >10
- SHERDS (Early Roman - 50 AD to 199 AD) Quantity: 5
- NAIL (Roman - 43 AD? to 409 AD?) Quantity: 1
- SKELETON (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD) Quantity: Part of
- ARMLET (Early Roman - 43 AD? to 199 AD?) Quantity: Part of
- TWO-PIECE COLCHESTER BROOCH (Early Roman - 43 AD? to 199 AD?) Quantity: Part of
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
Location
Grid reference | Centred TL 00724 87970 (218m by 197m) |
---|---|
Civil Parish | BENEFIELD, North Northamptonshire (formerly East Northants District) |
Civil Parish | OUNDLE, North Northamptonshire (formerly East Northants District) |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- None recorded
Record last edited
Dec 7 2020 12:30PM