Monument record 1641/12/1 - Roman Road, Irchester extramural settlement (west)

Archaeological excavation undertaken prior to the construction of warehouses to the west of Irchester Roman Town identified a metalled road. The road was traced for 160m through extramural settlement and appears to enter the town at its north-west corner. Its course westwards is not known, but it is possible that this is the road to Duston.

{1, 2} Archaeological excavation ahead of development identified a curving length of Roman road aligned broadly north-east to south-west. It was traced for 160m through the western suburbs of the Roman Town at Irchester. The investigation did not allow for full excavation of the features exposed; they were recorded in plan and reburied beneath the make-up of the new access road. However, where identified in the watching brief it was found to comprise a layer of small pebbles, ironstone cobbles and occasional cobbles up to 100mm deep. A full section across the road and radside was excavated- at this point it was 8.80 wide, with a flat, even surface rising to a slight camber in the centre. Pottery found in the side ditches suggests it was in use during the mid-late 2nd. A corroded coin of Hadrian generally accords with the mid 2nd century date.

<1> MORRIS S., 2007, Iron Age and Roman Landscape at Victoria Park, Irchester, Northamptonshire: Updated Project Design, Assessment Report (Report). SNN106041.

<2> Morris S.; Meadows I., 2012, Iron Age and Roman Landscapes at Victoria Park, Irchester, Northamptonshire: Excavations September 2004 to May 2005 (Report). SNN108056.

Record last edited

May 22 2026 11:06AM