Monument record 2409/0/92 - Roman ditches and pits, Oundle Station Yard

Archaeological evaluation undertaken in 1992 ahead of residential development confirmed that recent disturbance rfom pre 1845 gravel quarries and the construction and clearance of the railway had destroyed much of the Roman archaeology in the area. However, scattered areas of survival included ditches, groups of postholes. [The remains of a pottery kiln were also recovered 2409/0/15]

{1} Archaeological evaluation in 1992 identified small areas of archaeological survival. Two ditches of Roman date cut into the natural gravel on a north east to south west alignment. They also cut two shallow pits which appear to have been truncated. A substantial pit was seen. Whilst the feature contained only Roman pottery where sampled, its date remains uncertain since post medieval quarries to the south also produced large quantities of Roman material. Two ditches extended from the adjacent field towards the goods yard but both had been cut away by the quarries. Two gullies, 2008 and 2010, were cut into the natural to depths of 0.25m and 0.38m but both may once have been more substantial before being truncated by a buried soil. They were roughly parallel and aligned in a north east to south west direction. 2010 may have been recut by 2008 but previously it had cut a shallow pit and hollow. None of the features produced any pottery and they therefore remain undated. A limestone surface and several postholes with stone packing are probably of Roman date. An isolated post hole, with substantial limestone packing and some 0.8m in diameter and 0.4m deep was also seen at the north end of the trench.
These truncated remains suggest that Roman remains were once more extensive.

<1> Webster, M. & Parry, S., 1992, Archaeological Evaluation at Oundle Station Yard, Ashton, p.13 (checked) (Report). SNN1323.

<1> Webster, M. & Parry, S., 1992, Archaeological Evaluation at Oundle Station Yard, Ashton, p.15 (checked) (Report). SNN1323.

<1> Webster, M. & Parry, S., 1992, Archaeological Evaluation at Oundle Station Yard, Ashton, p.16 (checked) (Report). SNN1323.

<1> Webster, M. & Parry, S., 1992, Archaeological Evaluation at Oundle Station Yard, Ashton, p.8 (checked) (Report). SNN1323.

<1> Webster, M. & Parry, S., 1992, Archaeological Evaluation at Oundle Station Yard, Ashton, p.9 (checked) (Report). SNN1323.

Record last edited

Oct 8 2026 9:57AM