Monument record 2563/1/1 - Bronze Age Burials

A contracted inhumation burial, accompanied by a bronze knife and six urns, was found in 1890 during ironstone-mining. Further finds, including a miniature vessel of Wessex-type and another Collared Urn were apparently found a little to the east at the same time.

{1} Features found during ironstone quarrying in 1890. A contracted inhumation with a Bronze Age knife and fragments of six Bronze Age pottery urns. Presumably part of the same find in February 1890. Two cremation urns were found by Mssrs Lloyds workmen at the Glebe Workings near Weldon Road, Corby. Close by a "bronze spearhead" was also found. A Bronze Age Wessex-type pygmy cup and collared urn were found found a little to the east.

{2} The site of a burial from which remains of six cinerary urns of characteristic Bronze Age shape and ornamentation were found. With them a skeleton in a sitting position and a bronze weapon with three rivet holes. No indication of any tumulus over these remains. A smaller cinerary urn devoid of any decoration, and a vessel of the kind classed as incense cups, were found in other workings adjoining this site

{4} Grid ref SP9043 8930

{9} A contracted inhumation-burial, accompanied by an E.B.A. bronze knife-dagger and the sherds of six cinerary urns, were found in 1890, in ironstone working. The findspot, at the junction of Corby and Great Weldon parishes, adjoins the valley of a small brook.
It appears that the parish boundary actually crossed the find-spot for some of the urns were found on the Weldon side and the burial, knife/dagger and other urns, were found on the rectory glebe of
Corby; the skeleton was re-interred in Corby churchyard. No evidence of a barrow was seen. {2} Northampton Museum has received at least five cinerary urns from this site, in 1890-1 {6} and 1892-3,{7} and a cinerary urn, Accn. No. D 45/1954-5; an over-hanging rim urn,Accn. No. D48/1954-5 and the E.B.A. bronze knife/dagger with three rivet-holes, Accn. No. D86/1954-5, listed from 'near Corby' and an urn, Accn. No. D66/1954-5, [and an over-hanging rim urn, Accn. No. not allocated, from 'Weldon',] probably represent these finds.

{10} [Area centred SP 9043 8930] Area of ironstone workings, c. 1890, nearest to the former parish boundary and brook - now diverted.

{11} An exact find-spot was not established. The area is now covered by industrial workings. The siting derived from Authority {10} conforms to the information given by Authy {2}. The nature of the finds and their position on the parish boundary strongly suggest that this was a barrow with a primary, contracted inhumation-burial and secondary inurned cremations. The parish boundary, mered to the mound of a barrow, is not uncommon feature in the south of England. The finds are displayed in Northampton Museum

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.23/Site 1 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.142 (checked) (Series). SNN100369.

<3> George T.J., 1904, An Archaeological Survey of Northamptonshire, 3 p.20 (unchecked) (Index). SNN10170.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP98NW11 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> 1890, Cuttings Book, (checked) (Journal). SNN45367.

<6> 1890, Northampton Museum Annual Report, p.6 (unchecked) (Annual Report). SNN34068.

<7> 1892, Northampton Museum Annual Report, p.2 (unchecked) (Annual Report). SNN34069.

<8> Northampton Museum Records, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN126.

<9> Woodhouse, W C, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, W Woodhouse 74-JUN-60 (Note). SNN113151.

<10> Survey Dept, Stewarts and Lloyd's Minerals Ltd, Brigstock, Various date, Map of workings, c1895 (Map). SNN113156.

<11> Woodhouse, W C, 1960, Field Investigators Comments (Note). SNN113151.

Record last edited

Apr 21 2022 2:34PM