Monument record 3928/1/1 - The Mount, Drummer's Mound

A conical flat-topped mound totally excavated in 1964 in advance of road construction. The site was apparently called Drummers Mound in the late 19th century. The mound was circa 110 feet in diameter and 12 feet high. Iron Age and Roman settlement-type features were found in the vicinity. Beneath the mound, but off-centre, was a circle of stones 9 feet in diameter, with two arms projecting radially for 7 feet to the southwest and southeast. Pottery of late 2nd century date was found, and this seems to be regarded as pre-dating the stone feature and the mound. A primary burial, apparently an inhumation, had been robbed. Secondary burials, comprising 24 decapitated skeletons (men, women and children) were found in two rows immediately outside the southern perimeter of the mound. Dating evidence is unclear on the basis of published details. The stone feature and the mound are regarded as being 2nd century AD at the earliest, but it has been suggested that both are post-Roman. The headless inhumations might also be seen as post-Roman in date.

{1} A flat-topped conical mound, 37 m. in diam. and 4 m. high, was totally excavated in 1964 before being destroyed during road works. In the adjacent area part of an Iron Age and Roman settlement was discovered. Beneath the mound, but eccentric to it, was a stone circle, 3 m. in diam., with two projecting arms 2.4 m. long, to the S.E. and S.W. The primary inhumation burial had been robbed, but secondary burials, of twenty-four decapitated skeletons, were found in two rows outside the edge of the barrow to the S. There were skeletons of men, women and children. The stone circle was later than the 2nd century A.D. and may be post-Roman {3}, {6}. The mound was apparently called Drummers Mound in the late 19th century and numerous legends were associated with it.

{2} A flat-topped conical mound, 37m diameter x 4m high was totally excavated in 1964. The mound was known as Drummer's Mound in the late C19th and has numerous legends associated with it.

{3} The Mount, Rushton, a flat-topped, conical mound 110ft in diameter and 12ft high, was totally excavated. The site was part of an area of Iron Age and Roman settlement. The mound had been constructed over a heavily-weathered stone circle which did not pre-date the C2nd AD. The primary burial had been robbed.

{4} Earthwork, possibly a Roman barrow. A flat-topped conical mound 37m in diameter x 4m high. Known locally as "The Drummer's Mound".

{5} Beneath the mound, but eccentric, was a stone circle of 9ft diameter, with two arms projecting radially for 7ft to the South-East and the South-West. This (presumably ritual) structure was set up not before the C2nd and was heavily weathered before the construction of the barrow over it. Secondary burials of twentyfour decapitated skeletons, including men, women and children, were found in two rows immediately outside the southern perimeter of the barrow. In spite of Roman finds, a Roman date is not certain.

{7} Excavation of Iron Age and Roman settlement near a possible Roman or post Roman mound. "The excavation yielded remains of a prehistoric and Roman settlement.. And a burial ground with 24 decapitated burials, though the mound itself remains largely unexplained.

{8} The site is now under a new dual carriageway.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.132/Site 4 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP88SE26 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> 1965, The Journal of Roman Studies, p.5-108 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN58602.

<4> 1888, Northants Notes and Queries, p.44? (unchecked) (Series). SNN55338.

<5> 1965, Roman Britain in 1964, p.210 (checked) (Extract). SNN197.

<6> M.O.P.B.W., 1965, Archaeological Excavations 1964, p.9 (unchecked) (Series). SNN57910.

<7> Windell D., 1980, Letter to The County Surveyor, (checked) (Correspondence). SNN57113.

<8> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 22-JUL-1969 (Note). SNN111452.

<9> Historic England, Undated, The Mount, Photographs (Archive). SNN114310.

Record last edited

Feb 26 2025 7:52PM