Monument record 8097/0/5 - Possible prehistoric and Roman settlement

Archaeological geophysical survey and trial trench excavation identified a square enclosure, the fill of which contained Mesolithic or Neolithic flints, and a possible Roman trackway defined by parallel ditches.

{2} A square enclosure identified by the geophysical survey was investigated during trial trench excavation. A single ditch was identified in the middle of the trench. The fill contained six small blade-like debitage flakes, which likely represent core trimming, maintenance and blade production of the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods likely to have taken place close to the place of deposition. To the east, another trench was located to investigate parallel ditches as identified in the geophysical survey. One ditch was identified which contained pottery dating from the 1st or 2nd centuries AD as well as a residual Neolithic flint flake. The presence of overhead power lines prevented extension of the trench to confirm the second ditch.

<1> Evershed, R, 2022, Archaeological Evaluation Report: Geophysical Survey by Magnetometry on Land South of A45, Upper Heyford, Northamptonshire, https://doi.org/10.5284/1119624 (Report). SNN114585.

<2> Coates, G & Richmond, A, 2022, Archaeological evaluation, Trial Trenching, Upper Heyford Quarry, Upper Heyford, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN115356.

<3> Allen Archaeology, 2023, Digital Archive from a Geophysical Survey south of A45, Upper Heyford, Northamptonshire, March 2022, https://doi.org/10.5284/1116390 (Digital archive). SNN116204.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:07PM