Monument record 3573/0/1 - Roman and post-medieval settlement, High Street

Archaeological investigation prior to development identified a sequence of Romano-British boundary ditches dating to the 1st-2nd centuries AD. Later activity may include a 15th-17th boundary along the High Street and post-medieval activity associated with the Bull Inn.

{1} A single trench was excavated on land to the west of the Bull Inn prior to development. A deep V-shaped boundary ditch aligned north to south and containing frequent pottery dating to the 1st and 2nd centuries, along with animal bone and charred seeds. The ditch was truncated by a series of pits interpreted as tree-planting pits. An undated ditch and a post-medieval stone-lined drain were also identified.

{2} Subsequent archaeological excavation identified the continuation of the Roman ditch to the south of the trial trench. It also identified a further five ditches on a similar alignment and located immediately to the east. All these ditches continued beneath the foundations of the Bull Inn. One of the ditches produced late Iron Age pottery and another a single glass microbead of uncertain date. These ditches all shared a common alignment and suggested maintenance and reuse over an extended period in close proximity to activities that encouraged rapid in-wash. Other features included a fill deposit along the north boundary of the site next to the High Street containing a single fragment of brick dated to the 15th-17th centuries. Later features included planting pits and deposits associated with the construction of a pub extension and cellar.

<1> Danter, J, 2022, Archaeological Evaluation: The Bull, 46-48 High Street, Harpole, Northamptonshire, https://doi.org/10.5284/1112237 (Report). SNN114422.

<2> Parker, T, 2022, Archaeological Excavation at 46-48 High Street, Harpole, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN114423.

<3> Archaeological Research Services Ltd, 2023, Site Data from Multiple Fieldwork Investigations at 46-48 High Street, Harpole, South Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, May 2022, https://doi.org/10.5284/1105645 (Digital archive). SNN115697.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:12PM