Monument record 8959/1 - Neolithic causewayed enclosure, south-east of Irthlingborough Grange

During excavation of Flood Relief Area 3 part of a previously unknown Neolithic causewayed enclosure was uncovered. It comprised two concentric rings: an inner ditch and a much more segmented outer one enclosing an area c270m long north-east to south-west and at least c130m wide. There was evidence of a possible palisade between the two circuits. The south-east part of the monument lay outside the excavation area, but is likely to have been largely destroyed as it lies in an area of former quarrying. A radiocarbon date from a recut of the outer causeway ditch returned a result of 3633-3376 cal BC. The enclosure is the earliest element of a wider multi-phased site [HER No 1354].

{1} A causewayed enclosure was exposed following the initial stripping of the area. It had been previously undetected during the geophysical survey due to having very low magnetic properties. Therefore, the monument was only partially investigated due to mitigation constraints and its unexpected presence.
It consisted of two concentric rings comprising an inner ditch and a much more segmented outer one that defined an oval shape largely straight on its western edge, while the northern and southern ends were gently curved. The eastern side was not observed as it lay beyond the excavation area. They enclosed an area c270m long north-east to south-west and at least c130m wide (2.88ha). The interior was truncated by later Iron Age and Roman settlement activity and there was no evidence for any surviving ground surfaces. On the northern side and partially on the wester side were a series of curvilinear rows of small pits or postholes, perhaps representing timber palisades or structural elements between the two circuits.
The outer circuit was defined by a series of segmented ditches between 3m and 15m in length, although one segment was 30m long. There was evidence for two episodes of recutting, with the ditch becoming successively more shallow. A radiocarbon date from charcoal in the infill deposit of the first recut returned a result of 3633-3376 cal BC (4720 +-30BP, 95% confidence, Beta-538146). The inner circuit was much more substantial.
Only seven pieces of worked flint were recovered from the ditch fills of the causewayed enclosure, consisting of five flakes, one scraper fragment and one partially polished implement, although it is likely that many of the residual flint artefacts found in later Iron Age/Roman features are associated with this phase of activity.

<1> Preece, T, 2020, Archaeological excavation and analysis on land at Wellingborough East, Area 3, Northamptonshire, April to December 2017, p. 13-15 (Report). SNN112349.

<2> Crank, N. (Editor), 2020, South Midlands Archaeology (50), p. 89 (Journal). SNN112426.

<3> Wolframm-Murray, Y, 2021, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 2019, p. 467-8 (Note). SNN113025.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:41PM