Monument record 4775/0/1 - Late Iron Age/early Roman settlement

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Summary

Archaeological investigation has identified an area of settlement dating to the late Iron Age-early Roman period comprising a number of ditched enclosures and probable roundhouses

Map

Type and Period (9)

Full Description

{1} There is a clear clustering of Roman pottery in the northern half of field 2, corresponding with the settlement site revealed by cropmarks and geophysical survey. Some of the sherds were large and unabraded, suggesting that they have been disturbed fairly recently. The majority of the pottery is from the transitional period of the first century AD.

{2} Many positive magnetic anomalies were identified, curving, linear and discrete, forming a palimpest of features up to 0.25km across. There appears to be a core containing enclosures, roundhouses and pits surrounded by further linear ditches. It is possible that one or two of the more magnetic pit type anomalies could be sourced from ovens or kilns, but these features cannot be readily separated out. Several areas of positive magnetisation without obvious structure were imaged in the north of the area. These are roughly interpreted as geological in origin, but an archaeological source cannot be discounted.

{5} Large and complex site comprising substantial cluster of intercutting ditched enclosures, with outlying groups of enclosures and field boundaries.

{6} Trial trench excavation largely confirmed the results of the earlier geophysical survey. The archaeology of the site is dominated by a number of settlement enclosures, possible roundhouse gullies/ditches, drove ways and associated nearby fields. In the more peripheral areas to the east and west the character of the archaeology changes to predominantly drove ways leading to associated irregular ditched fields laid out around the core settlement area.

Pottery evidence dates the site to the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD. Only a small quantity of animal bone was retrieved during the evaluation. Ecofactual material from the features investigated probably accumulated from wind-blown hearth debris. The presence of cereal grains, chaff and arable weeds suggests some form of crop/grain processing may have been taking place.

{7} A further phase of trial trench excavation was undertaken. A single trench was excavated within the known area of the settlement. A large ditch was probably that of an enclosure identified during the geophysical survey. Four pits, all with stone-lined bases were excavated. These are likely to have been grain-storage pits.


<1> Parker D., 2007, An Archaeological Fieldwalking Survey on Land to The South of Towcester, Northamptonshire, (checked) (Report). SNN106000.

<2> Butler A., 2007, Geophysical Survey at Towcester Vale, Towcester, Northamptonshire, March 2007, p.5 (checked) (Report). SNN105999.

<3> Chapman P. (Editor), 2008, Archaeology in Northamptonshire in 2007, p.296 (checked) (Article). SNN106430.

<4> Horne B. (Editor), 2008, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (38), p.45 (checked) (Journal). SNN106282.

<5> Walford J., 2012, Archaeological Geophysical Survey of the Proposed 'Towcester Vale' Development Area, Towcester, Northamptonshire March-April 2012, p. 9-11 (Report). SNN109219.

<6> James, P & Ellis, C., 2013, Towcester Southern Extension, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation, November 2013 (Report). SNN110755.

<7> Pennell, C, 2019, Archaeological trial trench evaluation on land at Towcester south, Trial Trenches 13-21, Northamptonshire, November 2019 (Report). SNN112785.

<8> Collins, C, 2022, Archaeological trial trench evaluation on land at Towcester South, Northamptonshire, March 2022 (Report). SNN115362.

Sources/Archives (8)

  • <1> Report: Parker D.. 2007. An Archaeological Fieldwalking Survey on Land to The South of Towcester, Northamptonshire. ULAS Report Series. U.L.A.S. (checked).
  • <2> Report: Butler A.. 2007. Geophysical Survey at Towcester Vale, Towcester, Northamptonshire, March 2007. Northamptonshire Archaeology Fieldwork Reports. 07/78. N.C.C.. p.5 (checked).
  • <3> Article: Chapman P. (Editor). 2008. Archaeology in Northamptonshire in 2007. Northamptonshire Archaeology. 35. NAS. p.296 (checked).
  • <4> Journal: Horne B. (Editor). 2008. South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (38). South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter. 38. CBA. p.45 (checked).
  • <5> Report: Walford J.. 2012. Archaeological Geophysical Survey of the Proposed 'Towcester Vale' Development Area, Towcester, Northamptonshire March-April 2012. Northamptonshire Archaeology Fieldwork Reports. 12/092. N.C.C.. p. 9-11.
  • <6> Report: James, P & Ellis, C.. 2013. Towcester Southern Extension, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation, November 2013. Cotswold Archaeology Reports. 660160. COTSWOLD ARC.
  • <7> Report: Pennell, C. 2019. Archaeological trial trench evaluation on land at Towcester south, Trial Trenches 13-21, Northamptonshire, November 2019. Museum of London Arch. (MOLA) Fieldwork Reports. 19/133. MOLA Northampton.
  • <8> Report: Collins, C. 2022. Archaeological trial trench evaluation on land at Towcester South, Northamptonshire, March 2022. Museum of London Arch. (MOLA) Fieldwork Reports. 22/032. MOLA Northampton.

Finds (6)

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Location

Grid reference Centred SP 7077 4698 (349m by 417m)
Civil Parish PAULERSPURY, West Northamptonshire (formerly South Northants District)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Other Statuses/References

  • None recorded

Record last edited

Aug 8 2023 3:43PM

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