Monument record 6986 - Middle Iron Age Settlement, Radstone Fields south-east

Settlement first identified in 2009 during field evaluation and subsequently excavated prior to development in 2014. The settlement extended over an area of c 4ha and broadly followed the crest of the ridgeline running northeast-southwest across the excavation area. It was characterised by roundhouses, ditched enclosures, post-built structures and an abundance of storage pits. In addition, six stone-lined pits, two stone surfaces and a stone-lined ditch were uncovered. Artefacts from the site suggest it was established in the middle Iron Age and probably abandoned by end of this period.

{2} Geophysical survey identified three areas containing ring ditches. Field 3 contains three ring ditches and three pennanular or D-shaped enclosures, further potential ring ditches and settlement activity have also been identified.

{3} Trial trench excavation revealed an Iron Age settlement which comprised a series of roughly circular or pennanular enclosures as suggested by the geophysical survey. Each of the enclosures targeted by the evaluation showed evidence of multiple phases of ditch cuts. Some smaller features were also recorded immediately beyond the larger enclosure suggesting that the settlement and related activities extend very slightly beyond the limits suggested by the geophysical survey. The pottery assemblage suggests a middle Iron Age date for the settlement, with a demonstrable lack of 'Belgic' late Iron Age forms. Finds were relatively sparse. However, a worn but complete upper part of a beehive quern was recovered from the upper part of one pit. A bronze spiral ring was also recovered during the surface clean of this pit. Combined they suggest a particular significance may have been assigned to this pit or area that dictated the deposition of these artefacts. The quern appeared to be placed with the grinding surface neatly facing upwards rather than being discarded in a more haphazard manner.

{4} Field evaluation in 2009 revealed an Iron Age settlement comprising a series of roundhouses and associated features. The associated pottery was dated to the middle Iron Age (C3rd to C1st BC), and finds included the complete upper half of a beehive quern.

{5} An open settlement of c4ha excavated in 2014. Evidence for c40 roundhouses was identified. In five cases the roundhouses were defined by larger ditches which had often been heavily recut. At least 12 ditched enclosures were identified. Several were D-shaped whilst others were sub-circular or rectilinear. At least 45 post-built structures were identified across the settlement. They were generally characterised by four or more post-holes in square or rectangular arrangements. Such features are often interpreted as above-ground grain stores. Approximately 400 pits were present within the settlement, including six stone-lined pits. At the northwest periphery of the settlement an unusual curvilinear ditch was revealed. The ditch formed an upside-down "C" shape and had been recut several times. The latest of the recuts was lined on its outer edge with a finely made dry stone wall similar to those present in the stone-lined pits.
The pottery and other artefact assemblages suggest that the settlement was established in the middle Iron Age and had been abandoned by the end of this period.

{6} Remote sensing survey undertaken as part of the cultural heritage surveys for HS2 identified a possible pennanular enclosure with a narrow entrance to the south-east at c SP 587 391. [This feature was detected on the geophysical survey of 2009, but not observed during the subequent trial trench evaluation in 2009].

{9} The only evidence of human burial at Radstone was a possible cremation burial near the central roundhouse enclosure. Nearby was a possible contemporary animal burial. There was a total of 41 square and 12 rectangular small structures which fit the classic description of the four-post granary structure (although many were constructed from more than four posts). There was a total of 428 pits, the majority of which fitted 'classic' storage-pit profiles. There were six stone-lined pits. None of the pits had a stone-lined base, suggesting that it was not functionally necessary. The C-shaped ditch feature- the latest recut of which had a dry-stone revetment on its outer side- does not appear to have any direct parallels, although it does share some similarities with souterrains, predominantly found in eastern lowland Scotland.

<1> Chapman P., 2010, A Desk-Based Assessment of Land at Brackley Grange, Brackley, Northamptonshire, p.7 (checked) (Report). SNN107020.

<2> Chester, F., 2007, Geophysical Survey Report: The Robson Land, Radstone Fields, Brackley, Northamptonshire, fig.5 (checked) (Report). SNN108283.

<3> Wheaton, K. and Lawrence, S., 2010, Land to the North of Brackley, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation Report, p.14 (checked) (Report). SNN106734.

<4> Horne B. (Editor), 2010, South Midlands Archaeology (40), p.22 (checked) (Journal). SNN107083.

<5> Horne, B (editor), 2015, South Midlands Archaeology (45), p. 32-34 (Journal). SNN111358.

<6> High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd, 2013, London-West Midlands Environmental Statement: Technical Appendices, CFA14, Newton Purcell to Brackley, Survey reports (CH-004-014) Cultural heritage, p. 12/ Site N68 (Report). SNN111657.

<7> Luke, M, and Leslie, I, 2015, Preliminary report on the archaeological investigations at Radstone Fields, Brackley, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112363.

<8> Leslie, I, and Luke, M, 2017, Land at Radstone Fields, Brackley, Northamptonshire: Assessment and Updated Project Design (Report). SNN112362.

<9> Leslie, I, 2021, Radstone Fields and Northampton Road, Brackley, Northamptonshire: Two Major Iron Age settlements at the head of the River Great Ouse Catchment (Monograph). SNN113024.

Record last edited

Feb 24 2022 10:27AM