Monument record 6013/0/1 - Probable Medieval Causeway, Ditchford Quarry

Archaeological excavation of a 45m length of causeway constructed of ironstone lumps overlain by rough limestone slabs with evidence for deliberate cambering of the surface. Two radiocarbon dates give the causeway a medieval date.

{1} A 45m length of causeway was revealed, with a base of ironstone, sand and limestone and with a surface of flat laid limestone slabs. A later surface of sand and crushed ironstone was also noted in places. The causeway crosses the River Nene; the feature had been sealed by alluvium. Finds of horseshoes and nails were recorded. The causeway could have been Roman in origin and associated with Irchester, or medieval and associated with Chester on The Water.

{2} A previously unknown causeway was discovered during a watching brief. The feature appears to be associated with the known causeway which crosses the floodplain heading towards Irchester Roman Town. A stretch of c.45m of metalled limestone was revealed, running roughtly at rightangles to the known feature, and turning through approximately 90 to the south-east to cross a palaeochannel representing an early channel of the River Nene. Its structure consisted of an ironstone, sand, crushed ironstone and limestone bed, overlaid by a carefully constructed limestone paved surface.
A later sand and crushed ironstone surface survived above this at the south-east end of the causeway but had been eroded away at the western end. Numerous horseshoes and several fragments of tile were found within the causeway make-up and on its surface. Two horseshoes appear to be medieval, the tile is Roman and the remainder of the horseshoes could be Roman.

{3} Approximately 45m of metalled limestone causeway running south-west to north-east was revealed, turning through around 90 degrees to the south-east. The feature continued out of the excavation area. The causeway was typically 5.4m wide, broadening to 6.6m. The structure consisted of ironstone lumps especially concentrated along the edges of the causeway, and overlain by rough quarried limestone slabs in a mixed sand crushed ironstone matrix. The causeway sloped gently from west to east.
There was some evidence for deliberate cambering of the causeway surface. 29 horsehoes and 11 horeshoe nails were recovered from the surface of the causeway. Two radiocarbon dates give the causeway a medieval date. It is possible that the causeway approached a timber bridge of some form.

<1> Keevill G.D., 1993, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN48724.

<2> Keevill G.D., 1993, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter, p.53 (unchecked) (Notes). SNN47486.

<3> Keevill G.D.; Williams R.J., 1995, The Excavation of A Roman Road & A Medieval Causeway at Ditchford Pit, Wellingborough, p.63 (checked) (Article). SNN75823.

<4> Keevill G.D.; Allen L.; Serjeantson D.; Robinson M., 1993, Ditchford, Wellingborough: Causeway Excavation at SP91956718 (Site Summary), (checked) (Report). SNN76858.

<5> Lawrence S., 2000, Ditchford Sand And Gravel Quarry, Ditchford, Northants - Archaeological Watching Brief Report, p.2 (unchecked) (Report). SNN100491.

Record last edited

Mar 27 2020 10:40AM