Monument record 9729/1 - Middle Iron Age Settlement, Nortoft Lodge

An extensive linear settlement situated on a gravel ridge comprising distinct groupings of ring gullies and enclosures separated by open spaces. Settlement began in the early Iron Age with a single ring gully and group of pits assigned to this phase, but settlement became much more extensive from around 400 BC. Ceramic evidence suggests that the settlement was abandonned by the start of the 1st century BC.

{1} Area 3 showed a complex of positive curvilinear and rectilinear anomalies interpreted as archaeological in origin. The rectilinear anomalies were observed running in a north-east to south-west direction with a turn of approximately 90 degrees to the west at their southern end. These anomalies were disturbed around the southern end of the site where the ground is higher. Towards the north the anomalies became feint and disappeared, which may have been caused by a build-up of colluvium.
Area 4 showed a complex of curvilinear anomalies thought to be hut enclosures with evidence for a square-shaped enclosure.
Area 5 showed a complex pattern of curvilinear anomalies over the southern part of the site.
The trial trenching work has confirmed that the anomalies identified by the geophysical survey are predominantly archaeological in nature and that these appear to represent a single period Middle Iron Age site. This site contrasts with others identified at DIRFT which are multi-period and include early and late Iron Age evidence.

{3} The latest phase of recording at DIRFT exposed boulder clay in the northern and eastern areas and gravel to the south-west. The gravel was almost exclusively occupied by penannular gullies, with a few pits and postholes. Preliminary analysis suggests this occupation dates to the Late Bronze Age to Iron Age.

{4} Excavation was undertaken in 2006 on the western side of Nortoft Lane and in 2010 on the eastern side of an extensive agglomerated Iron Age settlement located on a gravel ridge. The earliest evidence of settlement comprised a group of pits and adjacent ring gully which represented the westernmost of the prehistoric features identified during the excavations. The three pits contained large charred plant assemblages dominated by cereal grains including spelt, emmer and emmer/spelt wheat and barley. A carbonised spelt grain from one of the pits was radiocarbon dated to 507-370 cal BC and this pit also contained sherds of limestone-tempered EIA pottery. The ring gully was undated but placed in the same phase due to proximity.

The middle Iron Age saw a dramatic change in the density of occupation, marking the beginning of a settlement of significant extent and duration of c300 years. Occupation was largely to the gravel ridge with only a small enclosures along the edges of the clay- possibly open land for common grazing. Spatially, the remains fall into five distinct clusters, all five being established in the earlier middle Iron Age with the general pattern of occupation characterised by roundhouse dwellings and ancillary buildings, accompanied by small and large enclosures, pits and yards. The evidence points to an economy based on mixed farming, with each cluster housing all the necessary elements required, including small-scale crafts, rather than any indication of specialisation. The animal bone assemblage was poor due to the acidic soils but charred plant remains indicated the cultivation of spelt wheat and barley in particular, with the presence of storage pits and four-post structures.

An unstratified Anglo-Saxon socketed spearhead and hooked tag were found during a metal detector survey of the site. No features were identified. The spearhead probably comes from a disturbed burial.

<1> RPS Consultants, 2001, Daventry: DIRFT Phase 2, Environmental Statement, p.7+21 Figs.2,3+4 (part checked) (Report). SNN102487.

<2> Chapman P. (Ed.), 2012, Archaeology in Northamptonshire, 2010, 37/200 (checked) (Article). SNN108374.

<3> Horne B. (Editor), 2011, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (41), 41/28 (checked) (Journal). SNN108274.

<4> Masefield R. (ed), 2015, Origins, Development and Abandonment of an Iron Age Village (DIRFT Volume 2), p. 167-242 (Monograph). SNN110565.

<5> Coleman, L, 2007, DIRFT West, Kilsby, Northamptonshire: Post-excavation assessment and updated project design (Report). SNN111414.

<6> Davenport, P., 2011, DIRFT Expansion (DIRFT II), Kilsby, Daventry, Northamptonshire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design (Report). SNN111415.

<7> Horne B. (Editor), 2007, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (37), p. 16 (Newsletter). SNN106005.

Record last edited

Mar 30 2023 12:09PM