Monument record 3702 - Probable Middle to Late Iron Age Settlement

Archaeological investigation prior to residential development identified an unenclosed middle Iron Age settlement comprising a series of circular structures. There was some evidence of metal working on the site.

{1} A complex of broad, strong magnetic circular and semi-circular responses was recorded in Area 1A. These indicate the location of a number of circular anomalies suggestive of hut circles which contain a multitude of pit and hearth type features at their interior. Faint semi-circular ditch and pit type responses are also apparent in the data and these generally appear to reflect the outer limits of the above complex.
Area 1B provided strong magnetic responses which indicate the location of a number of circular and semi-circular enclosures similar to those in Area 1A. They also suggested interior pit and hearth type responses. Several linear ditch-type anomalies of similar strength appear to form a small network of perimeter enclosures which may continue to the east beyond the adjacent field boundary.
The broad amorphous anomalies at the southern extremity of the ditch complex do not conform to clear archaeological type patterns, but should be regarded as having archaeological potential.

{3} The excavated features can be interpreted as six middle Iron Age roundhouses , a possible Iron Age stock enclosure and late Iron Age posthole.
All structures consisted of a double gully with clear terminals marking an entrance facing south-east. In some cases the the two concentric rings were replaced by one single deeper gully. The later gullies appear to have extended beyond the simple pennaular from to include extension spurs. Each of the gullies appeared to define the extent of a structure, in some of the gullies there were post settings or stakeholes The outer gullies were shallower than the inner suggesting the internal gullies were structural possibly containing slots for upright posts. Structure F had the same basic plan as the others, it was constructed from one single pennanular ditch with evidence of several periods of recutting. The wide gully created an internal space much smaller than the other examples at 6m diameter. A concentration of smithing earth bottoms and undiagnostic slags may point towards its use as a smithy. There were finds from around post hole 6 of an assemblage of belgic wares.

{5} A middle Iron Age settlement including six round houses, one of which was possibly used as a smithy. An assemblage of Belgic ware pottery suggests that the site was still in used in the later Iron Age/ early Roman period. This may also be associated with a field system recorded to the north (SMR ref.9828)

<1> Nicholls J., 1999, Mawsley New Village, Northamptonshire, p.2-3 (checked) (Report). SNN100532.

<2> Slatcher D., 2000, A Fieldwalking Survey, Trial Trenching Evaluation and Area Excavation At Mawsley New Village, Kettering, Northamptonshire, p.6 (checked) (Report). SNN100536.

<3> Hull G.; Preston S., 2002, Middle Iron Age Occupation at Mawsley New Village, Cransley Lodge, Kettering, Northamptonshire, Phase 1 (checked) (Report). SNN102277.

<4> Hull G.; Preston S., 2002, Middle Iron Age Occupation at Mawsley New Village, Cransley Lodge, Kettering, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Article). SNN103873.

<5> Grassam, Alexandra, 2008, Land at Great Cransley, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, (checked) (Report). SNN106231.

<6> Rees G., 2008, Enclosure Boundaries and Settlement Individuality in The Iron Age, (unchecked) (Article). SNN106040.

Record last edited

Jul 10 2023 2:50PM