Monument record 8865/1 - Bronze Age Cremation Cemetery

Seven cremation burials and a number of probable cremations were found during archaeological excavation. A post alignment to the east may have formed a boundary.

{1} Seven human cremations were discovered in SMS 2, arranged in a cluster on the southern slope of the hill. A further five burnt deposits were located amongst these but which did not contain human bone. There was no uniformity to their layout and they appeared unenclosed. There was no uniform shape to the pits, some were square, whilst others were circular or oval. All of the pits were small scoops in the surface of the natural, rarely more than 0.3m in dimater x 0.06m deep. Few of the cremations contained pottery.

Immediately to the east of the cremation group was a series of 21 postholes forming a north to south aligned boundary. There was a break in this boundary providing space for a person to pass through. A narrow ditch was aligned parallel to the post alignment. It is probable that this was the only surviving element of a palisade surrounding the cremation cemetery. All of the features were very badly plough damaged.

Nine pits lay on the brow of the hilltop in close proximity to the cremation cemetery. These pits produced a surprisingly large amount of pottery. A scattered group of 6 pits lay to the north of the cremation cemetery, two of which produced early Bronze Age pottery. One pit to the eat of the post alignment and two pits to the south of the cemetery also produced early Bronze Age pottery. All nine pits appeared to have been used for fires, as the natural had been scorched in situ and burnt stone was present in the fill, together with charcoal.

<1> BROWN J., 2007, The Industrial Infrastructure Strip, Map and Sample Areas at Pineham Barn, Upton, Northampton: Assessment Report, p.7 (checked) (Report). SNN106237.

<2> Preece, T, 2018, Archaeological excavation on land at Pineham, Upton, Northamptonshire, July 2006 to September 2006, p.7 (checked) (Report). SNN112259.

Record last edited

Jun 21 2021 8:26AM