Monument record 1236/0/4 - Late Iron Age occupation and field systems, south of Towcester Road

Rectilinear field systems and trackway with areas of occupation dating between the 1st century BC to the 1st Century AD. Evidence of metalworking

{1} Trial trench evaluation found evidence for Iron Age activity in the area. A curving ditch, which may have been part of an enclosure, c. 3.80m wide and 0.86m deep, aligned north-west to south-east. Iron Age pottery and large animal bones were recovered from the upper fills. A posthole with large cobbles and pieces of ironstone used for packing. May be associated with the late prehistoric/Romano-British activity.

{2} Open area excavation of part of a short-lived Iron Age farmstead dating between the 1st century BC to 1st century AD. The Iron Age landscape comprised a series of linear field boundary ditches and a linear route way. Small occupation foci were associated with field system(s) that included ring ditches and a number of discrete postholes and pits indicative of small farmsteads.
The farmstead was established in the 1st century BC with rectilinear boundary ditches, two roundhouses and a number of posthole structures with a trackway, aligned north-west to south-east, created soon after. In the late 1st century BC to 1st century AD the focus of occupation shifted to the north. In the latest phase of activity, the landscape was redefined; the trackway was abandoned and a sub-rectangular enclosure and roundhouse established. The settlement was abandoned in the early 1st century AD.

The pottery was characterised by plain globular bowls and thick-walled storage jars. A few granitic wares from Leicestershire are indicative of a late assemblage. Small fragments of crucible used in the lost wax casting process, indicate copper casting took place on site.

{5} The lack of ground evidence for further buildings within this settlement might suggest that they were either small and/or also of a temporary nature, with the need for stock control through a droveway system perhaps a seasonal feature, such as spring and autumn roundups. Later modifications include a stock control measure where animals could only progress in single file making it possible to separate individual animals from the flock. Similarities to Magna Park, Milton Keynes where it was suggested that the trackway and associated settlement was an outstation, part of a much larger agricultural estate centred on a nearby affluent farmstead and that perhaps the same was happening here.

<1> Finn, C., 2015, Archaeological work at land south of Towcester Road, Old Stratford, Northamptonshire, February 2015 (Report). SNN110204.

<2> Morris, S., 2017, Archaeological excavation at land south of Towcester Road, Old Stratford, Northamptonshire, September 2015 (Report). SNN111202.

<3> Horne, B (editor), 2016, South Midlands Archaeology (46), p. 44 (Journal). SNN111326.

<4> Crank, N. (Editor), 2018, South Midlands Archaeology (48), p. 66 (Journal). SNN111393.

<5> Morris, S., 2019, A Late Iron Age trackway and settlement south of Towcester Road, Old Stratford (Article). SNN111729.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:46PM