Monument record 6315/0/4 - Middle Bronze Age cremations, Nortoft Lodge

Excavation in 2006 identified a cluster of four closely-spaced cremation burials interred within irregular pits. A later ring gully may have truncated further cremations. One cremation had been truncated by a later cremation. Three cremations were each of single adults, whilst the fourth was of an infant or child. A further pit contained charcoal but no bone and may have been the truncated remains of a further cremation. Human bone fragments from two burials returned radiocarbon dates of 1614-1455 cal BC and 1498-1328 cal BC.

{1} Excavation in 2006 revealed a cluster of four cremation burials. More may have been truncated by a later ring gully was located directly adjacent to the surviving burials. Two of the burials were intercutting. Three adults and one sub-adult, possibly an infant or child were represented. Oak was the primary fuel used for the pyre. Human bone fragments from burials 7 and 8 returned radiocarbon date ranges of 1614-1455 cal BC and 1498-1328 cal Bc respectively (SUERC-50374 and -50373; 95.4% probability). A nearby pit was much smaller and lacked human bone but included charcoal and was potentially the remains of a further cremation.

<1> Masefield R. (ed), 2015, Origins, Development and Abandonment of an Iron Age Village (DIRFT Volume 2), p. 169-172 (Monograph). SNN110565.

<2> Coleman, L, 2007, DIRFT West, Kilsby, Northamptonshire: Post-excavation assessment and updated project design (Report). SNN111414.

<3> Horne B. (Editor), 2007, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (37), p. 16 (Newsletter). SNN106005.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 8:14PM