Monument record 4813/4 - Early Iron Age and Roman settlement, Collingtree

Geophysical survey and subsequent trial trench excavation identified an area of probable settlement dating to the middle 1st century BC to 2nd centuries AD. Excavations suggests evidence of occupation evidence that dates to the early Iron age period.

{2} Trial trench excavation confirmed the results of the preceding geophysical survey {1}.

A zone of intensive Late Iron Age to Early Romano-British activity was identified in Area C. The features, identified within the central part of the site, appeared to represent settlement activity, with associated artefactual material dating to the middle 1st to 2nd centuries AD. There was a series of contemporary enclosures. These enclosures did not contain any identifiable internal features and it is possible that they may have acted as small paddocks for domestic stock rather than the focus of habitation. However, although the enclosures were largely without internal features, the presence of several external pits and gullies, when taken with the amount of artefactual material recovered from the features within Area C indicate there was a settlement focus within this area of the site. The recovered environmental assemblages also further indicate settlement activities, including crop processing, taking place in Area C

{3} A further phase of trial excavation confirmed that the area of settlement was larger than previously indicated. Further ditches and pits were revealed as well as a possible round house ring ditches and a potential watering hole.

{4} - The monument encompasses area 6 and 21 from the 2020 - 2021 excavations. In area 6, there are a series of interconnected enclosures that have been dated to the early Iron Age. The function of these have been deemed to be for livestock management. These enclosures are connected by a single boundary ditch. Through the transitional periods in the Iron Age, the enclosures saw modification and expansion to the established enclosures, becoming a well-planned compartmentalised enclosure system. A trackway extends north from the enclosure system. To the west of the trackway lies a waterhole. The waterhole was utilised in the transitional period with pits being consistently excavated to maintain a clean water supply. The transitional enclosure system and trackway was maintained into the early to middle Roman period with relatively few changes.
There is a small-scale industrial activity that comprised a series of at least nine possible small kilns. Their purpose is unclear as little slag or metal objects were found within the vicinty. Environmental evidence suggests that they were involved in a process called 'Parching' and/or that they were used for charcoal making.
In area 21, an enclosure was identified that dated to the early Iron Age. The enclosure had a entrance that two large pits were cut into the termini. To the west of the enclosure lies a boundary ditch that had been modified several times to maintain the entrance to the enclosure. These features go into disuse during the Roman period.

<1> Richardson, T., 2014, Junction 15 of M1, Northamptonshire: Geophysical survey report (Report). SNN111702.

<2> Bithell, S. and Joyce, S., 2018, Land off Junction 15, M1, Collingtree, Northamptonshire: Archaeological evaluation, p. 35 &54-55 (Report). SNN111300.

<3> Clare, R, 2021, Archaeological Trial Trench Evaluation on land between Courteenhall, Blisworth and Milton Malsor, Northamptonshire
May-July 2020 (Report). SNN112760.

<4> J. Elston, T. Preece, A. Rojek, A. Shipley, 2023, Archaeological mitigations on land between Courteenhall, Milton Malsor and Blisworth and Roade Bypass, Northamptonshire. Assessment Report and Updated Project Design (Report). SNN115905.

Record last edited

Feb 16 2024 9:45AM