Monument record 9621/1 - Middle Iron Age settlement, north of Wales Street

Archaeological salvage excavation was undertaken in 2004 when middle Iron Age settlement remains were identified during the creation of a flood alleviation area. The contained a trackway aligned SW-NE, later replaced by a probable curvilinear enclosure. Two possible circular structures, a kiln/hearth and evidence for the smelting of iron ore were also found.

{1} In 2004, the stripping of the footprint for a flood alleviation scheme was monitored and significant archaeological remains were observed during the initial soil stripping. A salvage excavation was mounted and a comparatively rare example of a middle Iron Age settlement was rapidly recorded, although the planning condition meant that only a limited programme of archaeological salvage was possible. Two possible circular buildings were notes a The site comprised enclosure ditches, a droveway, two possible circular buildings, pits, post-holes, gullies and a kiln/hearth.

At least three phases of ditches were identified. Ditch 47 comprised Phase 1 but was not excavated. Ditches 43 and 44 comprised Phase 2 and contained sherds of middle Iron Age pottery. Ditch 45 (Phase 3) also contained middle Iron Age pottery. Ditches 46, 32 and 48 were unphased. Ditch 43 contained a fragment of a crucible of probable middle Iron Age date and considerable quantities of kiln debris in the form of burnt clay with the impression of wood. Pits 11 and 41 both contained iron slag, two large lumps (0.15m+) coming from pit 11.

Two possible circular buildings were noted although others may have existed towards the north and western sides of the excavated area. One building was situated towards the south west corner of the site and was defined by a semi-circular slot or gully, interpreted as an eaves-drip. A terminal was identified at the north and was excavated. The second building was defined by two intercutting ditches, interpreted as the intercutting butt ends of the eaves-drip of a hut. These ditches were cut by others but the hut may have had a diameter of c.8m.

The number of postholes that were identified is almost certainly only a fraction of those that were originally present on the site. Nineteen postholes were identified in the central part of the site. They formed a significant concentration and although undates, they may be broadly contemporary. Due to time constraints the majority could not be excavated but they are interpreted as settlement evidence. No finds were recovered, and two of the features were large enough to possibly be pits. There were two main groups of pits and it is possible these represent the north and south walls of a post building orientated east and west. The large features may be evidence for associated settlement activity.

An area of intensely burnt soil was noted and troweled, to define an are of burning of 1.6 x 0.8m. It had almost certainly been truncated by later activity but is interpreted as a kiln or hearth. The floor survived and was 15mm thick and consisted of a dark, almost black deposit of burnt clay. The only finds were some fragments of fired clay, some with wood impressions and a few small fragments of iron slag. The fired clay might have formed part of a domed superstructure of the kiln/hearth. Overlying the floor was a layer of ash containing the remains of burnt seeds.

<1> Hunn J.; Richmond A., 2004, Watching Brief: 16-18 Wales Street, King's Sutton, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN105073.

Record last edited

Apr 22 2021 11:25AM