Monument record 283 - Possible mid-late Iron Age settlement, east of Thorpe Mandeville

Cropmarks of a rectilinear enclosure with internal pits have been identified on aerial photographs and confirmed by geophysical survey. Trial trench excavation identified the ditches, but with no associated dating evidence. Mid-late Iron Age pottery was recovered from a pit inside the enclosure. The enclosure ditch was further identified in excavations but only partially due to it extending past the limits of the excavation area.

{1} Trial trench excavation identified the ditches comprising the enclosure, but no finds were recovered. A small number of finds dated to the mid-late Iron Age were recovered from a pit within the enclosed area, but it is quite possible that the enclosure could date to the Roman period given the proximity of other Roman activity.

{2} Excvation further identified the enclosure and has characterised it as a D-shaped enclosure. The northern section of the enclosure ditch extends beyond the excavated area. The construction and main phase of use is most likely contemporary with the internal features from which middle to late Iron Age pottery was recovered. A total of three Iron Age abraded pottery was recovered from the enclosure. The presence of Roman pottery in the upper fills may suggest that the ditch was partially open into this period. A partial ring ditch was located within the enclosure that was defined by two curvilinear ditches. From this, a total of 84 sherds of middle to late Iron Age pottery were retrieved. Within this ring ditch, two pits were found. The position of the pits suggest that they are potentially associated with the structure. To the east of the ring- ditch were a further a three pits and a linear feature. Recovered from these features was a rich artefactual assesmblage - middle Iron Age vessels were recovered from the pits along with disarticulated remains of a cattle skull. It is suggested that D-shaped enclosure functioned as a stock enclosure or to define the space surrounding the ring ditch, if the features are interpreted to be contemporary. To the east of the enclosure were two intercutting ditches. It is unclear whether these ditches are contemporary with the enclosure or represent a different phase of wider land division.

<1> Olchowska, K, 2019, Archaeological trial trenching at Thorpe Mandeville, Sulgrave Road, Thorpe Mandeville Cutting (AC310/5). (Report). SNN112666.

<2> Christie, C, 2022, Post-Excavation Assessment Report for Archaeological Recording and Construction Integrated Recording at Thorpe Mandeville: C31039, C31034 and C31035 (Report). SNN115102.

Record last edited

Jun 17 2025 2:23PM