Monument record 1170/1 - Roman Villa at Kingsbrook School, Deanshanger

Site of a Roman villa and associated courtyard occupied from the 1st century AD to the mid-4th century. Discovered in 1957 and excavated.

{1} The first excavations on the site, in 1957, revealed a stone-built corridor villa about 30 m by 15 m and a group of other buildings around a courtyard. This yard, 75 m by 60 m, contained a stone-lined pond and evidence of fencing. Partial archaeological investigation of main complex and outlying structures and features was undertaken. Further excavations to the east took place in 1972. There is no full publication of excavations but finds indicate C1st-4th use.

{2} Green (1956 excavator) concluded that the house-block consisted of a single storey suite of rooms with a closed corridor running along the back and an open verandah along the front, which faced the yard. Above the stone footings, the house is assumed to have been timber-framed with wattle and daub panels under a tiled roof. This was suggested in view of the small quantity of building stone removed, but direct evidence for both timber framing and panels was lacking. The courtyard was completely enclosed by a stone wall. The lack of firm dating evidence from sealed contexts and the lack of a coherent stratigraphy make the dating of the buildings and any phases in their construction, impossible. Finds catalogue.
Green suggested that the remnants of an area of paving at the south end of the corridor on the east side may have denoted an entrance. Although Green concluded that the villa was single storeyed the foundations are strong enough to support two storeys. There is no evidence of any phasing in the construction of the villa. Pottery dates the villa as being in use between the 1st and mid-late 4th centuries although the 1st century date is based on a very small assemblage. The lack of imported wares suggests that the villa was not an affluent property.

{3} Excavation was undertaken in 1957 during the building of Kingsbrook School. A stone-built corridor villa was uncovered, measuring 30 x 15m.

{4} Dated from the late 1st to the mid 4th century AD; plan.
(Sited from map SP76893960). The site of a Roman villa was discovered during the building of a new school at Deanshanger in 1957, and was excavated that year. A house-block 50' by 150' was found, with extensive out-buildings, all in a courtyard enclosed by a stone wall. Traces of buildings outside the yard were also found. Settlement began late in the 1st c, and continued at least until the middle of the 4th c.

{6} SP 770396 Excavation in 1972 by P J Woods on the site of the enlarged playing field, some 70m SE of the corridor villa revealed an associated field system with farm buildings covering 3.4 acres. One circular hut and a three-phase ditch system date from 60-140 AD. Two othere huts are circa 160-240 AD. The only structure with stone foundations was a 3rd century barn, 13.2 by at least 21.8m, to which a square shed was later attached. Other features recognised were gravel quarries, a drinking pool, a T shaped corn drying oven and pottery and small finds from 1st to 4th centuries AD. RCHM Inventory supplies additional references and notes a silver denarius of Sallustia Barbia Orbiana found on the site in 1963.

{17} Geophysical (magnetometer and restitivity) survey and trial excavation east of main school buildings showed that archaeological remains associated with the villa in this area had been largely removed during previous building work and only a few insubstantial ditches of possible contemporary date survived. The south-east corner of the courtyard was uncovered. Substantial features survived, such as a stone wall. Much of the area however is likely to be heavily damaged.

{19} The ancillary building at the south east corner of the courtyard was uncovered. It measured 11m by 8m. The surviving walls were identical to the courtyard walls and it seems to have been contemporary. No interior features were evident and any collapse rubble or occupational debris seems to have been removed during the 1957 excavations.
Immediately south of the courtyard was was a large square pit, 1.6m square internally with 1.5m thick walls, and 0.54m deep. The pit was bounded on its north side by the courtyard wall and on its west side by a line of faced stone. Some stone robbing had occurred. The limestone blocks seen were sufficient for masonry stone and it seems that the stone in the pit formed a foundation base for a substantial square structure against the side of the courtyard wall.

{24} Listed in gazetteer of Roman villas

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.41/Site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> MONK L., 1982, The Roman Villa at Deanshanger, (checked) (Full Report). SNN47354.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP73NE2 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> 1960, Associated Architectural Societies Reports, p.22-28 (unchecked) (Series). SNN19511.

<5> 1966, Northamptonshire Architectural and Archaeological Society Report, p.22-28 (unchecked) (Series). SNN105603.

<6> WOODS P.J., 1972, Excavations at Deanshanger, Northants, 1972, (checked) (Full Report). SNN60037.

<7> MYNARD D.C., 1970, Wolverton Historical Journal, p.61 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN19512.

<8> 1958, The Journal of Roman Studies, 48/140-1 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN26346.

<9> Department of Environment, 1973, DOE Archaeological Excavations 1972, p.61-62 (unchecked) (Series). SNN105605.

<10> 1974, Milton Keynes Journal of Archaeology and History, p.8-9 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN105608.

<11> 1973, DOE Archaeological Excavations (Various Years), p.61-62 (unchecked) (Series). SNN45978.

<12> Brown, A E, 1974, Deanshanger R-B villa, p.8-9 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN112840.

<13> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1976, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1975, 11/191 (checked) (Journal). SNN169.

<14> 1957, The Chronicle and Echo, (unchecked) (Journal). SNN60039.

<15> 1960, Northamptonshire Architectural and Archaeological Society Report, (unchecked) (Report). SNN60040.

<16> Chapman A., 1996-97, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1996-7, p.215 Deanshanger (unchecked) (Notes). SNN104580.

<17> Brown J., 2004, Geophysical Survey and Trial Trench Evaluation at Kingsbrook School, Deanshanger, Northamptonshire, (checked) (Report). SNN104820.

<18> Brown, J., 2006, The Roman Villa at Deanshanger, Northamptonshire - Excavations 2004-2005, p.7-8 (checked) (Article). SNN112209.

<19> Brown, J., 2006, The Roman Villa at Deanshanger, Northamptonshire - Excavations 2004-2005, p.7-8 (checked) (Report). SNN105445.

<20> Brown J., 2005, Archaeological Excavation of The Proposed Sixth Form Block, Kingsbrook School, Deanshanger, Northamptonshire, (checked) (Full Report). SNN105136.

<21> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, 27-OCT-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<22> SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF ROMAN STUDIES, 1973, Britannia, P. 294 (Journal). SNN108081.

<23> Scott, E., 1993, A gazetteer of Roman villas in Britain, P. 142 (Monograph). SNN110345.

<24> Historic England, The Roman villa at Deanshanger (Archive). SNN116432.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:14PM