Monument record 5764/1 - Probable Iron Age/Roman settlement

Cropmarks of a probable rectilinear ditched enclosure and a possible ring ditch identified on aerial photographs. Subsequent archaeological investigation found evidence of the circular enclosure but not the rectilinear enclosure.

{1} Cropmarks of an almost square enclosure with super-imposed possible ring ditch. A further enclosure lies to the south, and possibly also to the west. Evidence of headlands and recent boundaries overlying. NCCAP:SP6850/001-6.

{2} Geophysical survey identified a series of linear, curvilinear and discrete anomalies in the northern end of Area 1. Most of the anomalies appear to be partial rectilinear enclosures, possibly field enclosures. Sub-circular enclosures, some containing further linear features were also identified.

{3} Trial trench excavation did not identify many of the rectilinear elements recorded by the geophysical survey including the large rectilinear enclosure recorded as a cropmark. However, ditches associated with the sub-circular enclosure were identified. Late Iron Age and Roman pottery was recovered from the features as well as a small amount of animal bone and charred cereal grain. Later activity was confined to Pit 1308 in trench 13 which contained a large number of heat-affected wheat and rye grains suggestive of crop processing and/or food preparation waste, rye having been introduced into England no earlier than the Middle Saxon period.

<1> Palmer R., 1992, Air Photo Interpretation Comments, (unchecked) (Note). SNN44995.

<2> Dyulgerski, K and Beck, L, 2021, Geophysical Survey Report of Land north of Bell Plantation, Towcester, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112809.

<3> Wolf, A, 2021, Land north of Bell Plantation, Towcester, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation (Report). SNN112810.

<4> Cotswold Archaeology, 2022, Images and GIS from an Archaeological Evaluation at Bell Plantation, Towcester, Northamptonshire 2021, https://doi.org/10.5284/1092311 (Digital archive). SNN114247.

Record last edited

Oct 20 2022 10:08AM