Monument record 7157 - Probable Late Neolithic Agricultural Activity

Archaeological excavation identified a number of features that probably relate to early agricultural activity on site.

{1} Trial trenching identified pits and ditches in the northern part of the study area. However no dating evidence was obtained for any of these features. The pits, four of which contained evidence for burning appeared to be limited to a small area.

{3} The second major phase of activity comprised a complex of linear features which may have formed a boundary or to control stock in the Neolithic period. No trace of a palisade was identified. The corner formed by a ditch may be indicative of an enclosure towards the west of the stripped area, possibly coinciding with the crest of the hill. As only one putative corner was uncovered, the size and nature of the possible enclosure cannot be determined with certainty, however the paucity of charcoal and other artefacts indicates that the excavated area was not immediately associated with an area of Neolithic human occupation. On the basis of present evidence it must be assumed that the activity at Latimer Park during the late Meoslithic and Neolithic occurred remote from any substantial settlement. The indications are that such isolated features as were identified, result from low intensity agriculture, probably pastoral in nature.

A single radiocarbon date of 2800-2616 BC was retrieved from the fill of a post hole which was set within the junction of two gullies. The features probably represent early agricultural activity on the site, in the form of boundary markers, stock boundaries and/or drainage, although the possibility that the complex formed part of an enclosure cannot be discounted.

<1> ENRIGHT D., 1997, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49198.

<2> Thomas A., 1997, Land North of Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation, p.8-9+13-14 (checked) (Report). SNN62108.

<3> Foundations Archaeology, 2000, Latimer Park, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Excavation, 2000, p.8-10 (checked) (Report). SNN100497.

Record last edited

Nov 3 2022 1:52PM