Monument record 2514/5 - Probable Bronze Age activity, north-east of Knights Farm

A probable Bronze Age barrow and ditched enclosure were identified during trial trench evaluation of a wider area of Iron Age/Roman settlement. A further barrow may lie to the south of the area investigated during the trial evaluation

{1} Trial trench excavation undertaken in 2018 investigated a circular anomaly identified by the preceding geophysical survey. It measured c25m in diameter. The primary fill of the ring ditch contained small dumps of burnt stone, a single sherd of Bronze Age pottery and a worked flint blade of Mesolithic or early Neolithic date. Upper, disuse, fills contained late Iron Age/Roman pottery. Nearby, part of a rectilinear enclosure was investigated. The primary fil of the ditch also contained heat affected sandstone; the only other feature on site in which this occurred and it is for this reason that it is considered that this feature may also date to the Bronze Age. This feature also appears to have remained open for a considerable period of time as Iron Age/Roman pottery was found in the upper ditch fills. A further ring ditch to the south, identified by the geophysical survey, but beyond the trial trenching area may also date to this phase.

Walford, J, 2017, Archaeological geophysical survey of the proposed Rushden Eastern SUE development site, Northamptonshire, September 2016 to August 2017 (Report). SNN112344.

<1> Crank, N. (Editor), 2018, South Midlands Archaeology (48) (Journal). SNN111393.

<2> Newman, J., 2018, Land at Rushden East (SUE) Merriman Land Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation (Report). SNN111825.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:43PM