Monument record 4910/0/1 - Probable Roman settlement, south-east of Grange Farm

Faint cropmarks of enclosures were identified on aerial photographs. Geophysical surveys in 2006 and 2019 have defined elements of the settlement, although its full extent to the west has not been found. The settlement comprises a complex of conjoined enclosures, ditches and ring-ditches and including a possible kiln. Pottery from enclosure ditches at the eastern edge of the settlement dates to the late Roman period.

{1} Unclassified cropmark at SP735637.

[SMR Note: check NDC air photo collection.]

{2} Geophysical survey undertaken in 2006 identified several linear positive magnetic anomalies which almost certainly represent the remains of soil-filled ditches and broadly correspond to an area of cropmark features evident on aerial photographs. Although it is difficult to identify enclosures or structures from the data, the features appear to represent the truncated remains of a settlement.

{3} Geophysical survey undertaken in 2019 identified a distinct Area of Archaeological Activity (AAA1) has been identifed centred on the site of Lodge Farm, and comprising a complex of conjoined enclosures, ditches and ring-ditches and including a possible kiln. The area is located on a gentle northfacing gradient, slightly elevated above the River Nene foodplain to the north. It extends over 4ha and probably continues beyond the southern limit of the site, as suggested by the cropmark data.

{4} Trial trench excavation was undertaken in 2019 as part of the North-Western Relief Road planning process. Trench 96 was positioned on the eastern periphery of a large settlement identified in some detail by the geophysical survey. Excavation of this trench confirmed the presence of enclosure ditches extending into the scheme boundary, although the absence of similar features in any trenches further to the east and south (eg Trenches 94, 97 and 98) suggests that this is at the very limit of this settlement. Pottery evidence indicates a late Roman date.

{6} Trial trench excavation was undertaken in 2021 as part of the Dallington Grange planning procees. Several trenches were located in the area of the settlement and a number of features indicative of stock enclosures, trackways and field systems were identified. A small assemblage of late Iron Age-Romano-British pottery was recovered.

{7} (SP735637) Cropmark complex located to the south of Lodge Farm.

<1> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, AS19 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<2> Elliott L.; Hale D., 2006, Dallington Grange, Northamptonshire: Geophysical Survey Phase 2, p.9 (checked) (Report). SNN107441.

<3> Harrison, D, 2018, Northampton Western Relief Road, Northamptonshire: Geophysical Survey (Report). SNN112236.

<4> Lawrence, S and Fellingham, A, 2019, Northampton North-west Relief Road: Archaeological Evaluation Report (Report). SNN112235.

<5> Crank, N. (Editor), 2020, South Midlands Archaeology (50), p. 91 (Journal). SNN112426.

<6> Hewson, M, 2021, Dallington Grange, Northampton: Archaeological Evaluation, https://doi.org/10.5284/1115964 (Report). SNN113584.

<7> Brown, A E (ed), 1971, Bulletin of the Northamptonshire Federation of Archaeological Societies, Page 40 (Journal). SNN13960.

<8> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Air photograph nos R102, R105, AR/AP/29 and AR/AP/30 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

Record last edited

Jul 23 2024 3:11PM