Monument record 1621/3/1 - Complex of Probable Romano-British Buildings & Enclosures

Cropmarks were recorded by Hollowell in 1966, although upon investigation in 1969 the indicated area was under plough and no surface remains were seen.

{1} Dense area of cropmarks includes enclosure ditches and buildings as well as two circular cropmarks. [Central ngr given of TL008793 is probably incorrect.]

{2} The polygonal area defined by the main junction within the settlement contained a rectilinear stone founded enclosure within which stood an important group of stone buildings whose interpretation is problematic. It is possible that they formed a religious complex around a square Romano-Celtic temple at the heart of the town but there is little visible in their current plan to suggest this is necessarily the case. An equally plausible alternative is that the buildings comprise a small official administrative complex for the town or acted as a wayside station (a mansio or mutatio) along the two main roads. Either way it probably marks the source of an elaborately decorated stone capital found on the field surface.

{3} The polygonal area defined by the main junction within the settlement contained a rectilinear stone founded enclosure within which stood an important group of stone buildings whose interpretation is problematic. It is possible that they formed a religious complex around a square Romano-Celtic temple at the heart of the town but there is little visible in their current plan to suggest this is necessarily the case. An equally plausible alternative is that the buildings comprise a small official administrative complex for the town or acted as a wayside station (a mansio or mutatio) along the two main roads. Either way it probably marks the source of an elaborately decorated stone capital found on the field surface (1621/0/11).

{4} Two circular cropmarks seen by R Hollowell at TL 008793 in July 1966.

{5} Air-photograph (copy attached)

{6} The indicated area is under plough; no surface remains were seen.

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL07NW14 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<2> Taylor J., 2000, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Titchmarsh (Roman), Section 3.3 Buildings (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100748.

<3> Taylor J., 2000, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Titchmarsh (Roman), p.9 (part checked) (Report). SNN106660.

<4> Northampton Museum Records (Uncertain). SNN126.

<5> Hollowell R., 1970, Hollowell Photographic Collection (Archive). SNN101398.

<6> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, 3-NOV-69 (Note). SNN111452.

Record last edited

Apr 29 2024 2:06PM