Monument record 5515 - Probable Iron Age Settlement, south-west of Overstone Grange

Cropmarks of ring ditches were identified in 1962 and fieldwalking survey later found two discrete areas of probable Iron Age settlement. Archaeological investigation has indicated the presence of a large settlement comprising a series of probable curvilinear enclosures and round houses possibly defined by boundary ditches.

{1} Cropmarks of two ring ditches with a possible linear ditch, identified by Hollowell in 1962. NCCAP:7967/001.

{2} Fieldwalking by D.N.Hall pre 1982. SP 795 674. Iron Age pottery and a stone scatter associated with an area of dark soil. Possible Iron Age Settlement.

{3} Fieldwalking by D.Hall pre 1982. SP 793 672. Iron Age pottery, a stone scatter and an area of dark soil are recorded. Indicates possible Iron Age settlement.

{5} Trial trench excavation confirmed the presence of a curvilinear enclosure, 42m in diameter and re-cut on multiple occasions. The ditch was at least 1.18m deep, but the base was not reached due to flooding. A series of postholes may be part of a structure within the enclosure. Pottery dated to the Iron Age. A possible hut circle gully contained pottery dating between the mid-late Bronze Age and late Iron Age as well as a flint of possible early Bronze Age date. A substantial curving ditch was likely to have formed a significant boundary or enclosure ditch.

{6} (SP 795674?). Two ditches and linear ditch on AP in 1979.

<1> Northampton Museum Topographical Index (Index). SNN1470.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.200 Site 9 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.200 Site 10 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<4> Railton, M., 2013, Moulton Heights, Moulton, Northampton: Geophysical Survey Report (Report). SNN109451.

<5> Moore, B., 2014, Moulton Heights, Moulton, Northampton: Archaeological evaluation report, 2014 (Report). SNN111026.

<6> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1980, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1979, Page 177 (Article). SNN56490.

<7> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, D N Hall (Oral Report). SNN111577.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 8:06PM