Monument record 3991 - Late Iron Age-Romano-British Settlement

Cropmarks of enclosures, trackway and possible buildings were identified on aerial photography during the Northamptonshire NMP. Subsequent archaeological investigations showed that the site was dominated by a large sub-square enclosure with internal features, dated by pottery to the 1st century BC to mid 1st century AD, in the northern part of the site. There were less substantial enclosures dated to the mid 1st century AD in the southern part.

{1} Cropmark enclosure and linear ditches centred on SP807808. A large square enclosure c.0.6ha in internal area, containing numerous internal features including several ring ditches, was discovered by aerial photography in 1985. Enclosures of this type are normally of middle to late Iron Age or possibly Romano-British date. Further possible features, chiefly linear ditches, are located in the surrounding area. They may demarcate former boundaries, trackways or field systems.
To the south-west of the above [formerly SMR Mon 5970], is a cropmark enclosure and other features. A small sub-rectangular enclosure c.0.03ha in internal area, has been revealed by aerial photography. Its date is uncertain, although similar small enclosures at Ringstead Grange were dated to the early Iron Age. Other possible features, including linear ditches, lie within the surrounding area. This part of the site lies partially on the line of the proposed road.

{2} The putative cropmark enclosure (in the south-west area of Mon 3991) can be seen to have been misinterpreted and was almost certainly caused by natural variations.

{3} Presence confirmed by geophysical survey and subsequent trial trench evaluation. The geophysical survey confirmed the aerial photography, indicating a large sub-square enclosure containing smaller enclosures. Pottery dated the settlement from the 1st century BC to the mid-1st century AD.

Description from record 3991/1:
{1} The presence of the settlement was confirmed by geophysical survey and subsequent trial trenching. It was dated to between the 1st century BC and the mid 1st century AD. The large sub-square enclosure contained smaller sub-square and sub-circular enclosures.

<1> Shaw M.; Sharman T., 1992, A6 Rothwell and Desborough Bypass, Archaeological Evaluation: Stages 1 and 2, Desk-Based Study and Fieldwalking Survey, p.5 (checked) (Report). SNN76838.

<1> Chinnock C., 2015, Geophysical survey and trial trench evaluation on land north of Harrington Road, Rothwell, Northamptonshire, December 2014 (Report). SNN110164.

<2> Mudd A., 2001, A6 Rothwell and Desborough Bypass, Archaeological Assessment: Stage 6 Trial Trenching, p.6 (checked) (Report). SNN102490.

<2> Horne, B (editor), 2016, South Midlands Archaeology (46), p. 45 (Journal). SNN111326.

<3> Chinnock C., 2015, Geophysical survey and trial trench evaluation on land north of Harrington Road, Rothwell, Northamptonshire, December 2014 (Report). SNN110164.

Record last edited

Jul 21 2026 4:14PM