Monument record 2399/0/1 - Iron Age settlement, south of Oakleas Drive

Iron Age pottery recovered during fieldwalking. Geophysical survey and subsequent trial trench excavation identified a number of possible ditched enclosures, two possible concentric ring ditches and pits of probable middle-late Iron Age date. Excavation of part of the settlement prior to development revealed the north-western part of a large ditched enclosure as well as smaller internal enclosure features and probable roundhouses.

{1} Fieldwalking in 1982 identified dark soil and pebbles with associated Iron Age pot sherds at SP 500 799; area mapped by D.N.Hall.

{3} Geophysical survey recorded extensive traces of pits and ditches that are conceivably indicative of
settlement activity. Features were concentrated in the south and east of the site, with a number of ditches appearing to define the boundaries of enclosed areas. The effectiveness of the survey in the south-eastern region has been partially comprised by magnetically strong modern features/objects, and entirely so in the south-western corner. However, it seems likely that undetected remains survive within these areas.

{4} Trial trench evaluation largely confirmed the results of the geophysical survey, identifying a possible D-shaped and rectangular enclosure with a set of two concentric ring gullies set between them in the eastern and central zone of the site. Limited dating evidence suggested a middle to late Iron Age date. Undated features at the western edge of the site may also date to this period.

{5} Archaeological strip, map and sample was undertaken in two areas prior to development. In the larger, eastern area the north-western corner of a large mid-late Iron Age ditched enclosure was identified. Several ditches within the enclosure may be internal divisions. There were two, or perhaps three ring ditches which probably represent the remains of roundhouse ring ditches.

<1> HALL D.N., 1982, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN50716.

<3> Bunn, D., 2017, Archaeological Geophysical Survey: Land between Oakleas Rise and Midland Road, Thrapston, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN110998.

<4> Brown, R., 2018, Land at Midland Road, Thrapston, Northamptonshire: Archaeological evaluation, March 2018 (Report). SNN111247.

<5> Crank, N. (Editor), 2019, South Midlands Archaeology (49), p. 69 (Journal). SNN111755.

<5> Evershed, R, 2020, Archaeological assessment report and updated project design: Land between Oakleas Rise and A14 Midland Road, Thrapston, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112422.

<6> Cotswold Archaeology, 2022, Images and GIS Data from Archaeological Evaluation of Land at Midland Road, Thrapston, Northamptonshire January to February 2018, https://doi.org/10.5284/1090516 (Digital archive). SNN113136.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 6:11PM