Monument record 4611/0/21 - Early Bronze Age pit, Harlestone Quarry

A single pit was dated to the early Bronze Age, but it is possible that others in the vicinity belonged to this period

{2} Charcoal from a pit lying beyond the western margin of a broad scatter of pits and postholes was
distinctive in producing a quantity of charcoal, which is dated to around a century after 2000CalBC (1920-1670CalBC, 95% confidence, Beta-227088, 3470+/50BP). The pottery from the adjacent larger area of pits is not consistent with this early date, so the pit must be regarded as an isolated early Bronze Age pit, indicative of a local short term presence involving the deposition of carbonised wood and perhaps other materials. There was no pottery or other domestic material deposited, as is commonly encountered in such isolated pits or small pit clusters of late Neolithic and early Bronze Age date. It is possible that other pits in the excavated area may have been comtemporary, and perhaps specifically those with charcoal-rich fills, especially one which contained a flake from a Neolithic polished stone axe. However, without either dateble finds or the radiocarbon dating of carbonised remains this could not be established.

<1> Field L.; Chapman A., Archaeological Excavation at Harlestone Quarry Near Northampton, October 2006 (Report). SNN105844.

<2> Chapman, A, Foard, A, & Clarke, J., 2015, Excavation of a Bronze Age and early Iron Age landscape at Harlestone Quarry, Northamptonshire 2007-2014, P. 19-20 (Report). SNN110518.

<3> Chapman, A, Clarke, J, and Foard, A, 2017, A Bronze Age and Early Iron Age landscape at Harlestone Quarry, Northampton, p. 37-67 (Article). SNN110992.

Record last edited

Sep 21 2021 3:25PM