Monument record 7623 - Brampton Complex

An extensive area of Prehistoric and Roman cropmarks covering at least 175 hectares. Associated Neolithic to Early medieval finds have also been made in the area. [Record added as part of the NRHE data transfer project; see individual HER records for more information]

{1} Brampton complex occupies the greater part of both parishes. Between and to the N and S of the two villages there is an almost continuous expanse of cropmarks, covering at least 175 ha, on Northampton Sand, between 80m and 120m above OD. From within the area of cropmarks and from the surrounding fields have come objects of Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and Saxon date; this lends support to the assumption that the cropmarks themselves represent occupation over a very long period.

{2} Complex consists of NAR Nos:
SP 76 SW 15 and
SP 76 NW 5-6, 14-15, 17, 25, 27, 36
SP 76 SW 55 and
SP 76 NW 16, 42-47, 49

{3} (SP 7266). The whole area to the west of Brampton Hill to the southern parish boundary should be regarded as an area of contiguous Iron Age and Romano-British sites, with an earlier pattern underlying.

(SP 725646). The Chapel Brampton complex also extends under the golf course and some ditches were seen on AP in 1976.

{4} (SP 717668). Part of a complex of cropmarks recorded in 1979 as two pairs of parallel ditches one with appended small rectangular enclosure. A second rectangular enclosure was also recorded.

[5} (SP 725658). Recorded as a cropmark complex on AP in 1982. Located on ironstone geology.

RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 889260; 889846 (Archive). SNN112900.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 17/ Sites 1-10 (Series). SNN77381.

<2> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Lee ES 27-Jun-1991 RCHM Recording (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<3> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1977, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1976, p. 229 (Report). SNN723.

<4> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1980, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1979, p. 176 (Article). SNN56490.

<5> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1983, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1982, p. 182 (Article). SNN24591.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 8:33PM