Monument record 5105/1 - Possible Roman Villa at Boothville, Northampton

The collective finds made over a period of half a century indicates a substantial Roman building possibly preceded by a late Iron Age settlement. Formerly known as Buttocks Booth. Summary from record 5105/1/1: Part of a Roman mosaic has been identified in the gardens of 26 and 28 Booth Rise.

{1} Iron Age Settlement (?), Roman Villa (centred on SP 78506455), on the E. side of Booth Rise, on Northampton Sands, at 104 m. above OD. A small amount of Roman pottery was found on the W. side of Booth Rise prior to 1938. In that year part of a tesselated pavement, Roman pottery, a triangular hone and four coins, including one of Honorius (AD 395–423), were discovered in the back garden of 26 Booth Rise (SP 78506455). In 1947 a coin of Constantine (AD 306–40) was found at 'Avoca' (32 Booth Rise; SP 78516457) and Roman pottery was recovered from 'Uplands' (said to be the 'neighbouring house' to Avoca). In 1954–5 Roman pottery of mid 1st to 4th-century date, possibly Iron Age and Belgic pottery and two coins, both antoniniani of Gratian (AD 367–83) were discovered in the garden of 8 Booth Rise (SP 78426446). Iron Age and Belgic pottery, Roman pottery including Samian, Nene Valley ware, greyware and a mortarium were discovered in the quarry in Booth Rise. This quarry runs at the back of nos. 2–32 Booth Rise and the material recovered may have been thrown over from the back garden of one or more of these houses. The finds from no. 8 and the quarry were brought to NM along with material from elsewhere by the same donor and there is a possibility that the provenance of some of the material was confused. Also in 1954–5 an antoninianus of Victorinus (AD 269–71) was recovered from the garden of 38 Booth Rise (SP 78526460). In 1961 further Roman pottery, said to be from the quarry, was brought to NM. Between 1950 and 1973 Roman pottery, 2nd to 4th-century in date, clay and stone roof tiles, tufa building stone, tesserae, flue tile fragments, painted plaster, iron nails, a bone gaming piece (?), a strip of bronze, oyster shells and four coins were recovered by the owner of 28 Booth Rise, chiefly from his back garden. In 1973 an area of tesselated pavement, with a chequer-board pattern of red, white and brown tesserae adjoining an area of plain white tesserae, was uncovered in the back garden of 28 Booth Rise (SP 78506456). A large column base was discovered at the E. end of the pavement. In 1977 limestone tesserae, ironstone wall foundations (?), tile fragments and a human skull (above the level of the wall foundations (?)) were found in the back garden of 24 Booth Rise (SP 78506454).

The evidence set out above, collected in a haphazard manner over a period of half a century, nevertheless indicates a substantial Roman building possibly preceded by a late Iron Age settlement. The discovery of fragments of tesselated pavement, flue tiles and painted plaster would appear to indicate a dwelling of some importance as would the relatively large area (150 m. from S.W.-N.E.) over which Roman finds have been recovered.

{2}Roman coins and portion of Roman brooch found on site of presumed Roman Villa.

{3} At Boothville a Roman villa with possible late Iron Age origins has been identified. The finds suggest that it was of some importance.

{4-5} SP 78506454. A quantity of Roman material, including 2nd to 4th c sherds, clay and stone roof-tiles, a few pieces of tufa building stone, tesserae, fragments of painted plaster, iron nails, a bone? gaming piece and four coins were found between 1950 and 1973 by M Ashton in the back garden of 28 Booth Rise. Tessellated pavement has been located in several places at a depth of 1 ft and one found in 1973 had a chequer-board pattern with red, white and brown squares adjoining an area of plain, large white tesserae. A large column base was also found. Other Roman finds have been made at No 8 Booth Rise by D Bailey in 1954-5, consisting of 1st to 4th century pottery and two coins of Gratian (AD 367-383) and at No 38 by N Gray in 1955 (an antoninianus of Victorinus (AD 268-270)).

{10} Archaeological excavation in the garden of 28 Booth Rise identified part of a tesselated floor and possible wall foundation.

{11} (SP 7855 6461) Roman Building (GS) (Site of).

{12-13} (SP 7844 6456) Fragments of RB pottery found a few years previous to 1938. (SP 7848 6453) Roman pavement, stone and four coins (including a siliqua of Honorius) found in garden of "Jasmine" in 1938 ({9} and {3}) These finds are in Northampton Museum. A coin of Constantine found in the garden of "Avoca" in May 1948. Sherd
of RB pottery found in garden of? "Uplands", (a neighbouring house) in summer of 1948.

{14} Just prior to 1939 part of Roman tesselated pavement was exposed in a garden of bungalow. Tesserae, loose part lifted by R W Brown and re-set in cement, now in museum. Site visited once, fragments of tiles, bricks etc. obsered; further investigations pending. Northampton Museum hold a fairly large collection of Roman material
from the general neighburhood of the published site including the re-set pavement of auth.14

{15} Isolated minor finds (fragmentary pottery etc.) have surfaced in many private gardens hereabouts.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.313-4/Site 1 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> CURTEIS M, 1995, SMR REPORT FORM, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN49220.

<3> 1938, JOURNAL OF THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SO, 29/60 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN26861.

<4> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1973, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1972, 8/8 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN8956.

<5> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1974, Archaeology In Northamptonshire 1973, 9/91 (unchecked) (Article). SNN9109.

<6> Woodfield P., 1978, Roman Architectural Masonry From Northamptonshire, 13/85 (unchecked) (Article). SNN101140.

<7> Rainey A, 1973, Mosaics in Roman Britain, p.121 (unchecked) (Book). SNN102978.

<8> Muldowney L., 2013, Archaeological Excavation at Booth Rise, Northampton: Assessment Report and Updated Project Design, p.3 (checked) (Report). SNN109176.

<9> 1938, NORTHAMPTON INDEPENDENT, 1/7/1938 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN26860.

<10> Bailey E D, Undated, 28 Booth Rise, Northampton (Note). SNN113457.

<11> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1967 (Map). SNN112944.

<12> Annotated Record Map, Rec 6" VB 16.7.49 (Map). SNN112961.

<13> Annotated Record Map, Corr 6" 7.9.48 (J M Morris) (Map). SNN112961.

<14> Annotated Record Map, Corr 6" 1950 (H C R Frost) (Map). SNN112961.

<15> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 FDC 05-MAY-1969
in many private gardens hereabouts. (Notes). SNN112950.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 6:39PM