Monument record 3020/1 - Middle Bronze Age cremation cemetery, west of the A43

Geophysical survey and trial trench excavation identified a small number of undated features including a probable cremation burial. Betweeen May 2022 to August 2022, KDK Archaeology excavatation found un-urned cremations along with pits, ditches and postholes. Radiocarbon dating of the cremations revealed a Bronze Age date.

{2} Trial trench excavation targeted a number of rectilinear anaomlies identified by the geophysical survey, but found that most were of geological origin. Only a single undated ditch was confirmed. A number of pits, probably used as storage pits, were also identified and a probable human cremation was found. Extension of the trench did not identify any further cremations. It was not excavated.

{4} FKDK Archaeology undertook excavation of the site from May 2022 to August 2022. Seven human cremations, one animal burial, four ditches, two gullies, six postholes were identified. The charcoal within the cremations was used to provide radiocarbon dates , which ranged from c1418 calBC to c1004 calBC. Bronze Age pottery, retrieved from the pits and post holes, was from the Beaker period (2500BC-1700BC). These cremations suggest the usage of the site to be a Bronze Age cemetery. The distribution of the cremations has been compared to formation of the constellation of Pleiades, earth's nearest star cluster, as they appear to have a similar formation.

<1> Plesnicar, R, 2021, Land West of the A43, near Moulton, Northampton Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report (Report). SNN112755.

<2> Roberts, L, 2021, Land west of the A43, near Moulton Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation (Report). SNN112754.

<3> Crank, N. (Editor), 2022, South Midlands Archaeology (52), p. 77 (Journal). SNN115177.

<4> Florian Weber, 2023, Land West of the A43, Moulton, 2023 (Archaeological Strip, Map and sample) (Report). SNN115624.

Record last edited

Feb 24 2025 3:45PM