Monument record 8365/1 - Mid-late Iron Age settlement, Priors Hall

Archaeological excavation in advance of development identified a small settlement that was established in the middle Iron Age with the construction of one or more roundhouses within a ditched enclosure. The settlement expanded throughout the remainder of the Iron Age but was abandoned in the mid 1st century AD, possibly associated with the construction of the villa estate immediately to the south.

{1} Archaeological excavation was undertaken prior to development. In Area B, an irregular but substantial enclosure was probably constructed during the middle Iron Age. There were a total of seven roundhouses within the enclosure, although the precise phasing is not known. The roundhouses were mostly located around the northern part of the enclosure on top of the slope. A trackway bisected the interior of the enclosure. The settlement was probably abandoned in the middle of the 1st century AD, although the large enclosure was still in use as evidenced by the amount of early Roman pottery from the upper fills of the ditch. In the later Roman period, three large midden pits may indicate site clearance, perhaps associated with renovation of the villa some 150m to the south. A notable find was a complete enamelled copper-alloy seal box of 2nd or 3rd century date. The box is closed and it is possible that the intaglio seal is present.

Crank, N. (Editor), 2022, South Midlands Archaeology (52), p. 70 (Journal). SNN115177.

<1> Lambert, P, 2022, Priors Hall Corby, Zone 3, Areas B, C, D and E: Post-excavation assessment and updated project design (Report). SNN114188.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:12PM