Monument record 9228 - Possible Iron Age/ Romano-British agricultural activity

Aerial photographs and geophysical survey identified identified two rectangular enclosures together with two possible ring ditches, a possible ditched trackway and a number of pit anomalies. However, a subsequent strip, map and sample excavation only identified short lengths of ditch. The paucity of finds suggests that the site was of an agricultural origin.

{1} Aerial photograph survey identified a group of simple-plan rectilinear enclosures, 40x40 to 60x45m in size, with rounded corners and western entrances.

{2} Geophysical survey identified a rectilinear enclosure 45m x 40m with an apparent entrance on the western side. No apparent occupation activity within the enclosure was detected. A second enclosure also appears to be without internal occupation features. However, a curving response extending off the northern side of the enclosure may represent part of a ring ditch. Several linear responses and trends may be of archaeological interest. However, as ridge and furrow has been recorded elsewhere it is possible that these are also agricultural in origin. Pit anomalies have also been identified but the interpretation is tentative: they may relate to ferrous debris and/or localised soil changes.

{3} A strip map and sample excavation identified a small number of features. Two ditches were aligned north-south across the site. Ditch [401] was ‘V’- shaped in profile, 1.54m wide and 0.55m deep. It was cut by ditch [403], ‘U’- shaped in profile, 1.2m wide and 0.33m deep. These two ditches represent re-cuts of the eastern side of a square enclosure identified by aerial photography and geophysical survey.
Ditch [405] was ‘V’- shaped in profile, 0.9m wide and 0.2m deep at its rounded terminus. Five sherds of probable Iron Age pottery were recovered from the fill. The position of this ditch corresponds to a field ditch identified by aerial photograph and geophysical survey.
A single, small oval pit 1.05m long, 0.5m wide and 0.12m deep, containing charcoal lumps and possibly degraded pot, together with burnt stone and burnt flint.
Twelve struck flints were recovered from the topsoil. Such a small, undiagnostic assemblage recovered entirely from the topsoil leaves little room for interpretation or discussion other than to suggest that a mid to late Neolithic date may be suitable.
The paucity of pottery or artefacts and the results of the evironmental samples may suggest that the features encountered do not represent settlement or occupation, but are more likely agricultural in origin. Any associated settlement is likely to be situated some distance away.

<1> Deegan A., 1999, Pitsford Quarry, Northamptonshire: Air Photo Assessment, July 1999, p.6 (checked) (Report). SNN105319.

<2> Shiel, D., 2005, Moulton College, Northampton Geophysical Survey Report, p.2 (checked) (Report). SNN105357.

<3> Foard-Colby A., 2007, Archaeological Strip, Map and Record at Pitsford Road, Moulton, Northamptonshire, Oct/Nov 2005, p.4 (checked) (Report). SNN105818.

<4> Horne B. (Editor), 2008, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (38), 38/42 (checked) (Journal). SNN106282.

<5> Chapman P. (Editor), 2008, Archaeology in Northamptonshire in 2007, p.295 (checked) (Article). SNN106430.

Record last edited

Feb 26 2025 8:13PM