Monument record 919/0/1 - Bronze Age Inhumation, south-east of Norton

A Beaker burial found in 1862 in a gravel pit in Norton. The precise findspot is unknown, but the finds were exhibited by the owner of Norton Hall so may have come from the park.

{1} 'Beriah Botfield ... exhibited fragments of earthenware vessels found, at a depth of four feet at Norton, in Northamptonshire, in cutting through Gravel-pit Hill. They appeared to be portions of highly ornamented drinking cups of thin ware...'

{2} Well-made spearhead of grey flint, 5 3/4" long found at Norton, near Daventry, August 1863. 'On either side, about two inches from the base, are two slight notches...'

{3} A later "neolilthic burial" was discovered in 1862, in the grounds of the late Beriah Botfield Esq. at Norton, near Daventry'. The skeleton was in an extended position and was accompanied by an earthen vessel and a spearhead or dagger, of thin type.. This is in the Northampton Museum; the skeleton was buried in Norton churchyard'.

{4} Beaker burial found in 1862 in a gravel pit in Norton. Grid reference not certain but finds were exibited by owner of Norton Hall so may have come from south side of park (SP605631). The burial consisted of an extended skeleton, accompanied by a flint dagger 14.5cm long and by fragments of a pot described as a highly ornamented drinking cup of thin ware, presumably a Beaker.

{11} Botfield lived at Norton Hall and gravel pits at SP605631 in the park are probably where the finds were made.

<1> 1861, Proceedings of The Society of Antiquaries (Series 2), 2/186 (checked) (Journal). SNN14657.

<2> 1864, Journal of The British Archaeological Association (Vol.20), p.343 (checked) (Journal). SNN14658.

<3> 1878, The Archaeological Journal (35), 35/266 (checked) (Journal). SNN287.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.150 site 2 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<5> 1931, Proceedings of The Prehistoric Society, 6/340 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN14664.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP66SW2 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<7> George, T J, Prehistoric Northamptonshire Site List, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN59915.

<8> Northampton Museum Topographical Index, (unchecked) (Index). SNN1470.

<9> Proceedings of The Society of Antiquaries, 32/15 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN14663.

<10> Evans J., 1897, Ancient Stone Implements, p.35 (unchecked) (Book). SNN55416.

<11> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 BHS 19-FEB-69 (Notes). SNN111907.

Record last edited

Mar 16 2023 2:55PM