Monument record 5027/0/1 - Probable Roman settlement

[Part of the Hunsbury Hill Complex] A possible Roman settlement consisting of a well and finds of pottery, clay bars, a coin and animal remains found during ironstone quarrying in the 19th century.

{1} During ironstone quarrying in 1884 a stone-lined well 0.5m in diameter and 3.5m deep was discovered. Near the bottom were five pots, probably of Nene Valley type, cattle bones and fragments of wood; SP74485883. Find in 1966 of a Roman coin of Victorinus; SP 7439 5887 ;

{2} In November 1884 a walled well of 1ft 6in diameter and 11ft depth was found during ironstone mining to the NE of Hunsbury Hill Camp, 126' from the E limit of the working and c 850' S of Banbury Lane, in November 1884. (SP 7448 5883-ironstone working shown on OS 6" 1st Edn). Near the bottom of this were found the remains of five pots of a close well-made light-grey material not glazed. With them were cattle bones and remains of wood. To the north east of Hunsbury hillfort, about half a mile distance, were found five clay kiln bars; SP 7430 5890.

{4} Drawings of the vessels done in 1886 and location plan of the well.

{5} The indicated site is now occupied by allotment gardens. No finds were made.

{6} SP 743 588. A third brass of Victorinus found in 1966.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.284/Site 18 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> Dryden H.E.L., 1885, Hunsbury or Danes Camp, and the Discoveries There, p.61 (checked) (Article). SNN22391.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP75NW8 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> DRYDEN, HUNSBURY COLLECTION, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN46637.

<5> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, Ordnance Survey archaeology field investigator JB 4-MAR-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<6> Moore W.R.G., 1968, Roman Settlement in the Upper and Middle Nene Valley, p. 65 (Uncertain). SNN15188.

Record last edited

Aug 27 2024 3:44PM