Monument record 5213 - Late Iron Age defended enclosure and early Romano-British settlement, Wootton Hill Farm

Archaeological excavation was undertaken in 1986 prior to housing development of a square enclosure with exceptionally deep ditches dating to the late Iron Age. The enclosure may be related to Hunsbury hillfort c400m to the north. An iron currency bar was found in the ditch fill. Occupation continued into the early Roman period where there was evidence for pottery production taking place nearby.

{1} Excavation in 1986 of a late Iron Age defended enclosure located c400m south of Hunsbury hillfort prior to housing development after archaeological features were recognised in sewer trenches.

An early ditch, probably dating to the middle Iron Age, predated the principle enclosure and presumably formed one side of an enclosure lying to the south. The ditch ran parallel with but 5m north of the later enclosure. Three sections were cut across the ditch which had been dug to a depth of 1m into the bedrock. Very little occupation debris and no dating evidence was recovered.

The main enclosure was c 40m square and where totally excavated, the depth of the ditch varied only slightly from 2.6-2.75m. Evidence of recutting was present. The north side of the ditch showed little sign of erosion but the south side had been eroded back. The fills varied between the individual sections, some of which showed evidence of deliberate filling.

Apart from the evidence of possible bank material eroding back into the enclosure ditch, the only indication of a former rampart is the absence of contemporary features immediately inside the enclosure ditch. Taking account of the subsequent erosion of the ditch edges and the position of the closest internal features, the rampart is likely to have been c3m wide. There was no evidence of a remaining bank by the time of the phase 3 activity so it would seem that at some stage the earthwork had either been quarried or levelled.

The entrance to the enclosure was situated on the west side, but not centrally. The entrance width was c.3m. A number of features located near the entrance could have supported an internal gate structure and/or timber revetments for the bank. Most significant were a pair of long post pits or stockade trenches sited 1.8m from the inside of the ditch and placed 2m apart. No dating evidence was recovered and it is uncertain if all the features were contemporary.
Two further irregular pits or postholes lay between the stockade trenches and the ditch. Other features were Interpreted as related to the gate structure by their fills.

A ditch ran parallel to the main enclosure ditch 5213/1 and was presumably positioned immediately inside the bank. The gully lay between 4-5m from the inner edge of the enclosure ditch. Its profile was mainly V shaped, there was no evidence that it had ever held posts. It is likely that the ditch was used as a gully intended to draw water from the bank. A second ditch across the SW corner of the enclosure is a comparative form to those found at Aldwincle and Wakerley. It has been assumed that they form pens for livestock.

A single roundhouse was situated in the NW corner of the enclosure and was defined by a concentration of postholes, the remains of a wall trench, and a pair of east facing post pits, indicating a possible entrance. There would have been 7 postholes in the outer ring supporting the roof, and spaced at 3m intervals. There were at least 17 postholes within the radius of the wall trench but most contained no dating evidence and they may not all have been contemporary.

A four post structure was sited in the SE corner of the enclosure. The structure was set in postholes cut 0.5cm in to the bedrock, and had an overall size of 3x2.5m. The profile and filling of the postholes was unusual, and on the surface each appeared to be an oval pit. It is probable that the posts were removed and the holes left to silt up naturally. The postholes on the north and south sides were linked by a probable beam slot. Further postholes and pits were associated with the structure and there is some evidence that the structure had supporting struts on both sides. Similar isolated four-post structures at other sites have been interpreted as defensive eg watchtowers or fighting platforms.

A group of postholes in the NE corner of the enclosure cannot be assigned to a specific phase of occupation. Two of the posts were set 2m apart and either represent a two post structure or constitute part of a larger structure. This area had been badly disturbed making interpretation difficult. Seven cylindrical pits were situated along the south side of the enclosure, where a group of five occurred just south of the entrance. Two smaller examples were sited in the area of the roundhouse. None of the pits was deeper than 1m. One contained human bones. Ten other pits were seen within the enclosure.

The combination of the deep ditch, look-out tower, possible passageway entrance, and guardhouse - if hut 1 is such - suggests that the enclosure is deigned for defense and its topographical position supports this assumption.

The phase 3 ditches were sampled for dating evidence and depth but there was insufficient time to determine their full stratigraphical sequence. It is clear that the ditches were relatively shallow, up to 0.8m deep, and most had been recut or realigned on a number of occasions. The pattern revealed shows that three areas were enclosed or drained by ditches. Associated pottery is mostly of the third quarter of the 1st century AD but came mostly from the upper levels of the ditches.

Other features were assigned to this period either by the pottery found in their fills or by their proximity and similarity to other features. The main concentration lay east of the entrance to the main enclosure and included five clay-lined pits and other features containing fired and unfired clay. Other pits were sited near the north east corner of the enclosure and at the south. There was no evidence of any building or structures in phase 3 and it is probable that activity was primarily agricultural or industrial. The discovery of a few pieces of kiln-bar suggests that pottery kilns may have been located in the vicinity.

<1> Jackson, D., 1988-9, An Iron Age Enclosure at Wootton Hill Farm, Northampton, 22 (checked) (Article). SNN104536.

<2> Dix B.(ed), 1986-7, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1985-6, 21/153 (checked) (Report). SNN100334.

<3> Jackson, D., 1986, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN53749.

<4> Jackson, D., 1986, Interim Discussion of the Enclosure at Wootton Hill Farm, Northampton, (checked) (Interim Note). SNN57063.

<5> Chronicle & Echo, 1986, Iron Age fort uncovered on housing estate, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN57426.

<6> Dix B.(ed), 1986-7, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1985-6, 21/153 (Checked) (Report). SNN100334.

<7> Jackson, D., 1986, Wootton Hill Farm, Wootton, Northampton, (checked) (Typescript Report). SNN108394.

<8> Rees G., 2008, Enclosure Boundaries and Settlement Individuality in The Iron Age, (unchecked) (Article). SNN106040.

<9> Jackson, D., 1986, An Iron Age enclosure at Wootton Hill Farm, Northampton: Summary of results after excavation of northern half of site, (checked) (Note). SNN49059.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 7:49PM