Monument record 8161 - Possible early Iron Age pits and medieval ditch, south of Manor Road

Geophysical survey and trial trench excavation identified a ditch aligned north-west to south-east. Subsequent excavation confirmed that the ditch was medieval in date. However, sealed beneath the medieval plough soil was a group of 14 pits, likely to be prehistoric in date.

{2} Trial trench excavation was undertaken in 2012. In one of the trenches to the rear of the plot was a ditch 1.2m wide x 0.56m deep. It corresponded with the linear anomaly picked up during geophysical survey in the north-east corner of the site, which shows the ditch to be at least 22m long. The ditch was undated, but the character of its fill suggests a prehistoric date. This is further suggested by a possible ‘crumb’ of coarse, flint-tempered pottery which disintegrated when lifted from the fill.

{3} Excavation undertaken in 2015 found medieval pottery and a crotal bell within the ditch fill, confirming that it was actually medieval in date. Residual sherds of Iron Age pottery were also found in its fill. However, a group of 14 pits were found sealed below the medieval plough soil. Only worked flint was found in the pit fills.

<1> G.S.B. Prospection Ltd., 2011, Land at 9 High Street, Earls Barton; Magnetometer Survey, (unchecked) (Report). SNN109847.

<2> Carlyle S., 2012, Land at 9 High Street, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation, p.12 (checked) (Report). SNN109416.

<3> Carlsson, C., 2015, Land to the rear of 11 Berry Close, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire: Archaeological investigation (Report). SNN110122.

Record last edited

Jul 1 2020 3:14PM