Monument record 2288/1/4 - Possible Neolithic Round Barrow (Aldwincle 3)

A Neolithic ring ditch at Aldwincle, excavated in advance of gravel extraction in 1968. The area enclosed measured some 90 feet in diameter. Peterborough sherds were found within the ditch fill, and also in a pit which had been dug into the ditch fill. The sides of this pit were burnt. In the centre of the enclosed area was a number of stake holes which may have formed some kind of structure. Other features in this area included a number of pits and shallow hollows, one of which contained as single Neolithic plain bowl sherd. Another contained a bone point. A roughly circular patch of burnt stones was also present in this central area. Just outside the ring ditch, to the northe, the bottom of a curving ditch was noted after mechanical stripping. There was no dating evidence. Nearby was a pit complex which produced a single Neolithic potsherd.

{1} A circular ditch 200yds north-east of the Neolithic mortuary enclosure and enclosing an area 90ft in diameter, also appears to be Neolithic in date. It was first recorded as a cropmark by R.Hollowell, when assumed to be a barrow. The feature is being excavated ahead of gravel quarrying.
The round-bottomed ditch is on average 5ft 3ins deep x 13ft wide, and appears to be continuous. Apart from a few small irregular pits, one of which has been used as a hearth, work to date suggests that the interior is featureless, the original surface having been destroyed by ploughing and erosion.
Dating evidence consists of pottery decorated in the Peterborough tradition, found in an egg-shaped pit 5ft 9ins long and 1ft deep, dug into the centre of the ditch when this was already half full of silt. The pit had several inches of black ash on the bottom and its sides were reddened by fire.

{2} A Neolithic ring ditch enclosing a platform some 90ft in diameter was excavated during May and June 1971. there was no surviviing evidence of banks or a mound. No burials were found wihtin the interior, but a possible empty grave and a number of pits and stake-holes were noted. Two broken flint knives found close together in the topsoil near the centre of the ring ditch may possibly have come from a disturbed burial.
A pit containing Neolithic Mortlake style pottery was cut into the ditch after this had partially silted up.

{3} Round barrow excavated in 1968. It was 30m in diameter and surrounded by a ditch. The interior was featureless, the original surface having been destroyed by ploughing. A pit cut into the partly silted ring ditch contained black ash and pottery decorated in the Peterborough tradition.

{5} A large double-ditched enclosure (?henge) is at present being "rescue excavated" by Dennis Jackson (MOW) at SP 99808046. A Neolithic pit has been found in the outer encircling ditch. Initial classification as a sacred site, but additional report is to follow.

{6} For 1:2500 survey see SP 98 SE 15.

{7} For photograph of the Neolithic pit see illustration card.

<1> Jackson D., 1970, Fieldwork and Excavation in North Eastern Northamptonshire, p.47 (checked) (Article). SNN4821.

<2> Jackson, D., 1976, The Excavation of Neolithic and Bronze Age Sites at Aldwincle, Northants, 1967-71, p.12-70 (part checked) (Article). SNN43101.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.4 Site 4 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP99SE19 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 FDC 15-OCT-69 (Notes). SNN112950.

<6> FH, 1973, Field investigators comments, R1 FH 23-AUG-1973 (Notes). SNN112938.

<7> ORAL REPORT TO SMR, RCHME Recorder R2 ESL 31-MAY-1991 (Uncertain). SNN53391.

<8> Historic England, Undated, WALCOT LODGE, FOTHERINGHAY, 890161 (Archive). SNN113296.

Record last edited

Jan 11 2023 2:14PM