Monument record 8281/0/1 - Possible Iron Age boundary and Anglo-Saxon sunken-featured buildings, east of Thorpeville

Geophysical survey and subsequent trial trench excavation identified a number of undated ditches considered likely to be associated with medieval/post-medieval agricultural practises. Further trial trench excavation recovered a single sherd of possible Iron Age pottery from one of the ditches indicating it may have been an Iron Age boundary ditch. Subsequent excavation showed that the ditches were cut by Anglo-Saxon sunken-featured buildings.

{1} A ditch was identified from a linear positive magnetic anomaly aligned north west to south east. A curving positive magnetic anomaly, probably indicating a buried ditch, was also seen. Immediately north east of this a group of short rectilinear positive anomalies were recorded, none of which convincingly represents a ditched enclosure. In the context of the previous work carried out to the east it is possible that the anomalies reflect periglacial cracking of the underlying rock.

{4} Archaeological evaluation identified three undated ditches and two undated ditch termini within the two trenches of the southern field. These ditches were probably medieval or post-medieval agricultural field system ditches related to a field system located to the north-west of the site. A single small fragment of animal bone was the only artefact found.

{5} Further trial trench excavation was undertaken ahead of Phase 1B of the A43 Moulton bypass. A single curving ditch previously identified during the geophysical survey, was identified in three of the trenches. A single sherd of pottery may be Iron Age in date.

{6, 7} Archaeological excavation was undertaken. The boundary ditch was further investigated. Two further sherds of Iron Age pottery were recovered but also Anglo-Saxon and medieval pottery. However, the ditch was cut by a Saxon sunken-featured building suggesting the Saxon and medieval pottery was intrusive. There were three sunken-featured buildings in the excavated area. One was dated to the early Saxon period and the other two were loosely dated to the early-middle Saxon period. Finds included a significant assemblage of animal bone from one, as well as an iron knife and nails. A fragment of bone comb was found in another.

<1> Butler, A., 2011, Archaeological geophysical survey of land at Overstone Leys, Northampton: Supplementary report September 2011, p.2 (checked) (Report). SNN108165.

<2> Chapman P. (Editor), 2012, Archaeology in Northamptonshire, 2011, 37/210, 212, 218 (checked) (Chapter). SNN108375.

<3> Horne B. (Editor), 2012, South Midlands Archaeology (42), 42/34 (checked) (Journal). SNN108346.

<4> Webb, R, 2014, Undated features on the Moulton Relief Road, Moulton, Northamptonshire: Archaeological evaluation report, 2014 (Report). SNN110962.

<5> Reid, A. and Meadows, A., 2018, Interim report: Archaeological trial trench evaluation on land between roundabouts at Overstone Road and Spinney Hill, A43 Moulton Bypass, Northamptonshire, Phase 1b, March 2018, p. 8-10 (Report). SNN111562.

<6> Crothers, M and Markus, S, 2019, Archaeological excavations on land between roundabouts at Overstone Road and Spinney Hill, A43 Moulton bypass, Northamptonshire, Updated Project Design, October 2019 (Report). SNN112315.

<7> Douthwaite, A, Crothers, M E, and Markus, S, 2019, Archaeological excavations on land between roundabouts at Overstone Road and Spinney Hill, A43 Moulton Bypass, Phase 1b, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN113098.

Record last edited

Aug 31 2022 3:17PM