Monument record 633/0/1 - Iron Age Enclosure, south-east of Borough Hill

Earthworks (site of) enclosure (site of)

{1} About 250 yds below the encampment on Borough Hill [SP 56 SE 6] on the south-east side is a 'lesser' [univallate]camp of about 1 acre, bounded by a 'single trench and a bank of earth on the inside of it. The figure on oblong square'. The entrances appear to have been on the eastern and western sides.

{2} Barely discernible; the trench does not now average more than eight or nine inches.

{3} An almost square enclosure 40m by 47m bounded by a low scarp less than 0.5m high and with traces of an outer ditch. Its date and function are unknown.

{4} Sited from Baker at SP5921 6189. Sited from aerial photos at SP5923 6184. There are indications of other earthworks in the same field, particularly at SP5903 6191.
No trace of these latter earthworks on the ground in 1962.
The north east and south sides could not be followed but the scarp is nowhere more than 0.3m in height.

{5} Plan

{7} The line of the enclosure could be traced along most of the south and east sides as well as at the north west corner. The ditch was excavated on the south side and was found to be 3m deep. The trench was continued into the interior of the enclosure but no internal bank survivied and no features were seen. No dating evidence was found in the ditch or in the interior of the enclosure.

{8}On northern side of hollow way & 250m from large hillfort overlooking natural scarp of hill are remains of small quadrangular enclosure; described in early C18th as substantial ewk with internal bank & entrances on east & west; by early C19th almost totally levelled; rectilinear ditch surviving on 3 sides as slight ewk about 5m wide & up to 1m deep; largely infilled on 4th side; encloses roughly level area of 0.25ha; trial excn of ditch in 1991 revealed depth of nearly 3m with pronounced V-shape section; characteristically Wootton Hill Style enclosure functioning as defended look-out where view from adjacent hillfort limited.

{10} Enclosure visible on AP's. 541/177/3028-9, centred at SP 5923 6184. There are indications of other earthworks in the same field, particularly at SP 5903 6191.

{11} Of the earthworks observed at SP 5903-6191 (Auth.10 refers) no trace was found on the ground. Centred at SP 5923 6184, upon a gentle SE facing slope of Borough Hill, at 600 feet OD are the slight, unsurveyable remains of a near-square enclosure, measuring 40.0m N-S by 47.0m transversely, comprising a low scarp with traces of an outer ditch. The NE and S sides could be followed but the scarp is nowhere more than 0.3m in height. The date and purpose of the earthwork could not be ascertained.

{12} No change.

<1> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire, p.521 (unchecked) (Book). SNN10113.

<2> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.346 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.158 site 17 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP56SE7 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Foard G.R., 1993, Borough Hill/Burnt Walls: Their Environs, (unchecked) (Report). SNN60102.

<6> Jackson D., 1991, Borough Hill: An Archaeological Evaluation for The BBC, 1991, (checked) (Full Report). SNN47547.

<7> Jackson D, 1996-7, Further Evaluation at Borough Hill, Daventry, Northants, p.4 (checked) (Article). SNN104072.

<8> English Heritage, 1994, English Heritage Scheduling Notification, SAM 17145 (part checked) (Report). SNN1342.

<9> Jackson, D, 1991, Borough Hill, Daventry: An archaeological evaluation for the British Broadcasting Corporation, 1991 (Report). SNN110858.

<10> Colquhoun, FD, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 DJC 17-NOV-60 (Notes). SNN112761.

<11> Phillips, AS, 1962, Field Investigators Comments, F2 ASP 04-MAY-62 (Note). SNN112960.

<12> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F3 BHS 09-JAN-69 (Notes). SNN111907.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2023 3:47PM