Monument record 5764/3 - Roman roadside settlement, east of Watling Street

Archaeological investigation has identified a series of enclosures with internal features, possible stock funnels and trackways. The pottery assemblage indicates a broad 2nd to 4th century date for the activity.

{1} Geophysical survey identified a complex of strong linear and curvilinear anomalies not previously identified as cropmarks. The overlapping enclosures, aligned with Watling Street immediately to the west, suggest a multi-phase settlement. One of the most prominent anomalies is a pentagonal enclosure with an internal sub-square anomaly. There was some evidence for an area associated with industrial activity to the south. The settlement is intersected by a possible trackway.

{2} Trial trench excavation demonstrated a good correlation with the geophysical survey. The parallel ditches of the probable trackway were identified. To the north-west, the trackway potentially opens out into a funnel-shape. Ditches of the various curvilinear and rectilinear enclosures identified by the geophysical survey were also found. Pottery found in the features broadly dated to 2nd to 4th centuries. Little tile and virtually no high status or imported pottery was found. A focal area for domestic waste disposal was identified at the eastern extent of the settlement with small amounts of charred grain.

<1> Dyulgerski, K and Beck, L, 2021, Geophysical Survey Report of Land north of Bell Plantation, Towcester, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112809.

<2> Wolf, A, 2021, Land north of Bell Plantation, Towcester, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation (Report). SNN112810.

<3> Cotswold Archaeology, 2022, Images and GIS from an Archaeological Evaluation at Bell Plantation, Towcester, Northamptonshire 2021, https://doi.org/10.5284/1092311 (Digital archive). SNN114247.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:24PM