Monument record 4946/2 - Possible defended area of Roman town, Duston

Documentary research and earthwork survey by St Luke's Archaeology Society suggested that a rectangular area defined by traces of earthwork banks could be traced in the Sixfields area. This may represent a defended core of the Roman town, although no definitive evidence has so far been identified.

{1} Report summarises evidence of the existence of traces of a Roman town suggesting probable initial boundaries. Earthworks were probably flattened, or damaged, at various stages- during the construction of the turnpike in 1765, raising and lowering of the turnpike in c1849 and by the construction of the ironstone railway marshalling yard and gradient to the canal side. However, the A45 to the north, Tweed Road to the east and footpath to Abbey Street still recognised the obstacle that had been the Roman town. Suggests that a ditch that still ran along the complete length of the southern boundary and embankment, part of the eastern bank and ditch and the south-east corner. The kink in the south-east corner is visible on all maps from the earliest in 1722. Field names include 'Bonn Furlong' along the western side- means 'Land on or near an embankment' and 'Arbour Field' means 'Land on or near an earthwork'

<1> St Luke's Archaeology, 2001, Roman Town at Sixfields, Northampton (Report). SNN104781.

Record last edited

Mar 2 2026 1:49PM