Monument record 1641/8 - Possible Roman temple

{1}Geophysics found a circular anomaly which coincides with the location of a building described as a "temple" in a map of 1756.

{2}The functions of the two stone built round houses are more problematic to interpret, however, and as was noted above, in the absence of any corroborating evidence it is difficult to be sure these acted as ritual foci. Though this is commonly the case with circular buildings in small towns in other parts of the country, the presence of a strong local tradition of stone built roundhouse construction on rural sites in the immediate hinterland of Irchester makes it impossible to be sure.

Two stone founded round houses noted by Baker in the south west quarter of the intramural area have been suggested as further shrines, but in the absence of any additional information as to their function they may have represented houses of a type common to rural sites in this part of the region.

<1> Dix B.N., 1991, Archaeological Evaluation at Irchester, Northants, 1990-91, (unchecked) (Report). SNN1694.

<2> Taylor J., 2000, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Irchester (Roman), Section 3.5.1 and 3.3 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100749.

Record last edited

Oct 18 2018 11:22AM