Monument record 8974/1 - Probable late prehistoric/Romano-British settlement, south of Spella House

Geophysical survey has identified an area of probable late prehistoric/Romano-British settlement including ring ditches, linear boundaries and possible enclosure ditches. Trial trench excavation of the western edge identified round house ring ditches and linear boundaries in association with Iron Age and Roman pottery.

{1} Geophysical survey identified a possible archaeological settlement comprising square enclosures and a possible roundhouse as well as a possible trackway.

{2} Targeted trial trench excavation identified features in four trenches which were located at the western edge of the area of potential archaeology defined by the geophysical survey. A series of ditches were excavated, this comprised three possible roundhouses and smaller curvilinear stock areas as well as a possible trackway or ditch running northwest–southeast, to the southwest of the roundhouses. A small quantity of Iron Age and Roman pottery, fired clay and mammal bone was recovered.

{4} Archaeological excavation was undertaken at the western edge of the wider settlement identified by geophysical survey. It broadly confirmed the range and date of features identified during the preceding phases of investigation, including D-shaped enclosures, ring-ditches, several small partial enclosures, field ditches and a probable trackway. Artefactual material from these features predominantly dates to the middle to late Iron Age with two main phases identified. Much of the pottery assemblage dates to the middle Iron Age. Its character suggests a small or short-lived settlement. Evidence of Roman activity comprised a collection of hobnails from the fill of a pit.

<1> Teale, K, 2019, AWHb Final Report for Geophysical Magnetometer Survey at Spella House, Lower Boddington Cutting, Sheep Wash, Boddington Cutting and Lower Boddington, Lower Boddington Embankment, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire (AC320/3) (Report). SNN116208.

<2> Clements, P, 2021, AWH- Fieldwork Report for Trial Trenching at Welsh Road Boddington Cutting, Northamptonshire AC320/21 (Report). SNN112708.

<3> Headland Archaeology, 2023, Data from an Archaeological Recording at Welsh Road, Boddington, Cherwell, Northamptonshire, 2021-2022 (HS2 Phase One) (Digital archive). SNN115686.

<4> Knapp. B, 2022, AWHi- Post-excavation Assessment Report of Archaeological Recording at Welsh Road, Northamptonshire, AC310-C32087, https://doi.org/10.5284/1119064 (Report). SNN116207.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:26PM