Monument record 8300/1 - Probable Iron Age and Roman settlement, noth-east of Shaft Field Spinney

Archaeological investigation identified a possible Iron Age pit alignment as well as evidence of Iron Age and Roman domestic activity. Of interest is a copper alloy snake’s head bracelet terminal and a sherd of Samian.

{2} Trial trench excavation identified a number of pits and ditches from which middle Iron Age pottery was recovered suggesting the presence of small-scale settlement in the area. Roman features were also identified; the finds from these features relate to activity during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Of particular interest is the copper alloy snake’s head bracelet terminal and a sherd of Samian which suggest a settlement with enough contacts and wealth to be using imported ‘exotic’ wares. The geophysical survey does not show a coherent settlement pattern, but it is notable that the features that produced Roman artefacts do not show.

The geophysical survey interpretation also suggests that there is a pit alignment corssing the area, but excavation demonstrated that the pits bore little resemblance to the traditional idea of a prehitoric pit alignment. The pits were shallow and irregular and in parts were replaced by a shallow ditch.

<1> Butler A., 2010, Archaeological geophysical survey on land east of Kettering, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN107967.

<2> Lewis, T, 2021, Hanwood Park, Land east of Kettering Phase 2, Archaeological Evaluation Report (Report). SNN112564.

<3> Crank, N. (Editor), 2023, South Midlands Archaeology (53), P. 74 (Journal). SNN116414.

<4> Butler A., 2011, Archaeological Geophysical Survey on land East of Kettering, Northamptonshire 2010-2011 January 2011 (Report). SNN108239.

Record last edited

Jun 24 2024 3:24PM