Monument record 3827/1 - Probable later prehistoric/Roman enclosures, south of Newton Spinney

Two overlapping Later Prehistoric and/or Roman ditched enclosures are recorded as cropmarks on EH Reconnaissance aerial photographs taken in July 2011. A kite, or diamond, shaped enclosure, with sides measuring about 25 metres and 50 metres, is positioned with one corner in the centre of a near- circular enclosure with a diameter of about 15 to 20 metres. It is not clear which came first. It is possible that the circular enclosure indicates the remains of a Neolithic or Bronze barrow or ceremonial monument. However it may have formed part of, probably Iron Age and/or Roman, settlement indicated by the two overlapping enclosures. Google Earth aerial photographs taken in the 1940s show that the area was once covered in earthwork remains, now apparently ploughed level, of Medieval and/or Post Medieval ridge and furrow.

{1,2} Two overlapping Later Prehistoric and/or Roman ditched enclosures are recorded as cropmarks on EH Reconnaissance aerial photographs taken in July 2011. A kite, or diamond, shaped enclosure, with sides measuring about 25 metres and 50 metres, is positioned with one corner in the centre of a near- circular enclosure with a diameter of about 15 to 20 metres. It is not clear which came first.

It is possible that the circular enclosure indicates the remains of a Neolithic or Bronze barrow or ceremonial monument. However it may have formed part of, probably Iron Age and/or Roman, settlement indicated by the two overlapping enclosures.

Google Earth aerial photographs, supposedly taken in 1945, but probably taken at some time in the late 1940s, show that the area was once covered in earthwork remains, now apparently ploughed level, of Medieval and/or Post Medieval ridge and furrow.

{3} The enclosures are as described above (Sources 1-2) and were mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project from aerial photographs.

<1> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NMR 27154_031-037 11-JULY-2011 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<2> Vertical Aerial Photograph, EARTH.GOOGLE.COM 01-JAN-1945 ACCESSED 13-NOV-2014 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

<3> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NMR 27154/31 11-JUL-2011 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<4> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP (Archive). SNN113023.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 6:48PM