Monument record 8305 - Probable Roman settlement, west of Castle Manor Farm

Geophysical survey and trial trench excavation identified a Roman settlement focus comprising groups of enclosures, a probable trackway and field systems.

{2} Geophysical survey identified anomalies consistent with archaeological features including a conjoined enclosure system and field system.

{3} Archaeological trial trench excavation identified Roman activity in two distinct areas within the same field. In the south was a group of intercutting pits which contained structural burnt clay fragments and abundant amounts of cereals, particularly of free-threshing wheat. There is evidence of mould damage to the grain suggesting its deposition could relate to the disposal and subsequent burning of a spoiled crop. Some of the pits contained residual middle iron Age pottery as well as Roman pottery. A single ditch may relate to a small set of rectilinear enclosure ditches detected by the geophysical survey. The main area of activity related to a series of enclosures set around a pair of parallel ditches. The parallel ditches were relatively substantial compared to the majority of other ditches.

<1> Slatcher D., 2001, An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment and Geophysical Survey of Land at Rectory Farm, Titchmarsh, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN108585.

<2> Legg, R and Peel, S, 2021, Geophysical Survey Report: Land east of Thrapston, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112567.

<3> Sinclair, K, 2022, Land east of Halden's Parkway, Thrapston: Archaeological Evaluation Report, February 2022 (Report). SNN114805.

<4> Crank, N. (Editor), 2022, South Midlands Archaeology (52), p. 71 (Journal). SNN115177.

Record last edited

Jul 18 2024 2:22PM