Monument record 820/1 - Probable Iron Age farmstead, south-west of Dagnall Farm

A complex of intercutting features initially identified via geophysical survey. Trial trench evaluation indicated an Iron Age date for the site. Archaeological investigation in the fields immediately to the west identified further Iron Age enclosures, roundhouses and a trackway. The farmstead is partially visible as cropmarks on an aerial photograph of 2018.

{2} Trial trench evaluation confirmed the results of the geophysical survey. Several phases were evident within the enclosure ditches, as indicated by the presence of numerous re-cuts, although all of these phases were Iron Age in date. Only one feature contained Roman pottery indicating that activity may have continued into the second half of the 1st century AD.

{3} Geophysical survey undertaken in 2019 identified archaeological activity in the north-east area of the site as two enclosures and three potential round houses. Numerous linear ditches were also identified, although a relation with the main enclosure could not be established.

{4} Trial trench excavation undertaken in 2021 verified the results of the geophysical survey in {3} with the identification of enclosure ditches, roundhouse ring ditches and pits. Large enclosure ditches with a distinct increase in finds and darker ditch fills were found towards the centre of the cluster, suggesting a domestic focus. Outlying areas may have had an agricultural focus. A trackway with a metalled surface appears to extend towards the area of Iron Age settlement found to the east.

{8, 9} Two subrectangular enclosures of probable Iron Age date are visible on historic aerial photographs as cropmarks. They were not mapped as part of Historic England’s North Buckinghamshire Aerial Investigation and Mapping project because the photograph was not available to the project. Located at approximately 500m south west of Dagnall Farm, Wicken, Northamptonshire, and centred at SP 75562 38564. The aerial photograph was taken after the project loan was made available and was only visible online. The two subrectangular enclosures are separated by a narrow gap and a sub circular cropmark is visible on the south side of them. Further cropmarks are recorded in the adjoining field to the east but these were not visible on any aerial photograph available to the project. There are no cropmarks visible in 1946.

{11} Two subrectangular enclosures were recorded as cropmarks on Historic England oblique reconnaissance photographs taken 4th July 2018. The western example has three straight sides but the fourth, eastern, side curves inwards. Directly opposite, and just a few metres away, the western side of the eastern enclosures curves outwards in a similar arc. A sib-circular feature - perhaps an annexe - is attached to the southern side of the western enclosure. Further features, in the form of more faint and fragmentary cropmarks, are also visible inside and outside the enclosures.

The course of the Water Stratford to Olney Roman road (NRHE 948158) is suggested to cross this field - in fact, the projected course runs across the enclosures. No cropmark resembling a Roman road is visible on any of the 2018 photographs.

<1> GSB Prospection, 2013, Mount Mill Farm, Deanshanger: Geophysical Survey Report (Report). SNN112243.

<2> Evans, D., 2014, Mount Mill Farm, Wicken, Northamptonshire: Archaeological evaluation, 2014, p. 12-14 (Report). SNN110535.

<3> Kesterton, H, Salmon, F, & Clements, M, 2020, Geophysical Survey Report of Sparrow Lodge Farm, Wicken (Report). SNN114197.

<4> Donnelly, M, 2022, Sparrow Lodge Farm, Wicken, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation Report, https://doi.org/10.5284/1109293 (Report). SNN114198.

<5> Cotswold Archaeology, 2022, Site Data from Multiple Archaeological Investigations at Mount Mill Farm, Wicken, Northamptonshire 2014 and 2015, https://doi.org/10.5284/1100091 (Digital archive). SNN114235.

<6> Crank, N. (Editor), 2022, South Midlands Archaeology (52), p. 71-2 (Journal). SNN115177.

<7> Oxford Archaeology (South), 2023, Data from a Trial Trench Evaluation at Sparrow Lodge Farm, Wicken, Northamptonshire, 2021, https://doi.org/10.5284/1112528 (Digital archive). SNN115690.

<8> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, RAF/CPE/UK/1792 RS 4176 11-Oct-1946 (Photographs). SNN104890.

<9> Vertical Aerial Photograph, NMR 33503_024 04-Jul-2018 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

<10> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NMR 33503_032 04-Jul-2018 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<11> Oblique Aerial Photograph, 33503/023-033 04-JUL-2018 Historic England Archive (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

Record last edited

Mar 11 2025 4:21PM