Monument record 2281 - Late Iron Age/early Roman settlement, Park Farm Way

Cropmarks visible on aerial photographs and subsequent geophysical survey results indicate the presence of ditched enclosures with possible internal features. Subsequent excavation indicated that the settlement originated around 50 BC and continued until the early Roman period, no later than c100AD. The earliest activity was a small number of pits, succeeded by the establishment of a coaxial field system, a roundhouse and a rectilinear enclosure. Later, a large D-shaped enclosure was constructed.

{1} The survey at Wellingborough has identified a number of features of probable and possible archaeological origin. A large number of linear and curvilinear anomalies and associated former pits provide strong evidence for past settlement activity, as indicated in the archaeological desk based assessment of the site.

{2} Trial trench excavation confirmed the presence of late Iron Age settlement located on the ironstone plateau at the south-western part of the site. The geophysical survey had identified an enclosure and the evaluation demonstrated that the enclosure system was more extensive that could be seen on the geophysical survey results.

A small enclosure uncovered in Trench 48 is notable for being on a different alignment than those around it. It measured 16.5m north-south and 11m east-west internally and had multiple recuts. It may have had a different function- this type of enclosure is often interpreted as a temple or shrine site.

{3} Excavation was undertaken in 2020 revealing a late Iron Age settlement which was established in around 50 BC. The settlement was very short-lived, only continuing into the early Roman period. It was abandoned by 100AD. A small number of late iron Age pits were the earliest evidence of activity, succeeeded by the establishment of a probable coaxial field system probably relating to pastoral farming. A rectilinear enclosure was constructed, although no internal features were apparent. Evidence for metalworking was found in the enclosure ditch, with the find of a 'cake' of slag, possibly the base of a smithing furnace.
A single roundhouse and a number of associated pits containing domestic debris were located on the south side of one of the fields. The establishment of a large D-shaped enclosure and associated enclosures marked the main developments to the site during the latest Iron Age. Occupation of the site in the Roman period was probably short-lived, marked by a reduced quantity of finds and lack of expansion/new features.

A small number of worked flints were also found as residual items in later features, comprising nine flakes, two blades, two scrapers and one fragment, and broadly dating to the Neolithic to late Neolithic/early Bronze Age period.

<1> Davies, R., 2015, Geophysical Survey: Land Off Park Farm Way, Wellingborough, January 2015 (Report). SNN110682.

<2> Rees G., 2015, A late Iron Age settlement at Park Farm Way, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire: Archaeological evaluation, October 2015 (Report). SNN110683.

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

Record last edited

Jul 4 2022 10:40AM