Monument record 2289/0/1 - Iron Age Pit Alignment

A pit alignment of probable Late Iron Age date. Excavated in 1970-71 in advance of gravel extraction, it was traced for a distance of circa 300 metres, running approximately southwest-northeast, passing close to the Neolithic ring ditch TL 08 SW 47. It ran roughly parallel with the course of Harper's Brook, a stream which may represent a former course of the River Nene. A ditch observed at the southern end of the alignment, and crossing its course almost at right angles, may have been associated with it, but this could not be confirmed. The excavated pits produced few finds, although some potsherds broadly datable to the Iron Age were present. The alignment is unlikely to be later in date as it is cut by the course of a Roman road.

{1} An Iron Age pit alignment was excavated in 1970-1 and has been traced for some 70m but certainly extends further north-east. It consists of a line square pits 0.5m deep, 2m across and 1.5m apart. However, as 1m of topsoil had already been removed bfore excavation, the original depth was at least 1.5m and they were probably only 1m apart at the surface. At its south end the pit alignment terminated against a ditch. The alignment predates the Roman road which intersects it. Late Iron Age pottery was found in primary silting of the pits. TL00008038-00228050.

{4} In total the alignment was traced for 297.2m. To the south-west of the Roman road the alignment included 42 pits, but to the north the pits had barely survived topsoil stripping.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.5 (part checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> Brown, A E (ed), 1972, Northamptonshire Archaeology, 1 (Journal). SNN25623.

<3> Rowley R.T.; Fowler W.J. (Editors), 1972, CBA Group 9 Newsletter: South Midlands Archaeology (2), 17 (Newsletter). SNN10022.

<4> Jackson, D., 1977, Further Excavations at Aldwincle in Northamptonshire 1969-71, 44-47 (Article). SNN74177.

Record last edited

Jan 11 2023 1:43PM