Monument record 6914/0/2 - Possible prehistoric boundary

Possible Iron Age curvilinear ditched boundary following the contour of a spur of land. May be earlier than a pit alignment which intersects it.

{1} Roughly parallel to the western field boundary, survey detected a curving positive magnetic anomaly, likely to reflect a ditch. Although it could represent a modern feature, related to the reservoir, two factors act in favour of an ancient origin. Comparing the ditch with the contours showing fall of land, the curve merely follows the strike of the spur of land. Also, towards the north end of the ditch, the pit alignment appears to pass through or over the ditch. Although obscured slightly by anomalies towards the southern end, it would appear that the ditch curves sharply to the north and returns to the south-west for approximately 20m. A pair of discrete positive anomalies situated on the southern edge of the survey block may indicate buried pits.

{2} The survey results show a curvilinear positive magnetic anomaly, orientated approximately south-west to north-east, which seems to follow the contour pattern in this area. A less pronounced positive linear anomaly runs nearly parallel to it to the west. Both of these positive anomalies could be interpreted as the remains of ditches.

{3} Geophysical survey identified further elements of the curving boundary ditch.

<1> Butler, A. and Fisher, I., 2008, An archaeological geophysical survey of land to the north east of Daventry, Northamptonshire November 2008 (Report). SNN108101.

<2> Ladocha J.; Smith H., 2010, Archaeological geophysical survey on land for the proposed Daventry Town Centre Vision A747 Canal Arm, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN107964.

<3> Walford, J, 2016, Archaeological geophysical survey of land north-east of Daventry, Northamptonshire, 2016 (Report). SNN111116.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 6:11PM