Monument record 725/1/5 - Route of Roman road, Silverstone Fields Farm

A thin spread of cobbles found during road improvement works probably represents the eroded remnants of the Roman road from Towcester. An adjacent hollow way probably replaced it, although no dating evidence was associated with either feature

{?} Romano British Cropmark of possible road, uncertain source only reference (Air Photos 1 and 2).

{1} The probable trace of the Towcester - Alchester road was seen as a linear spread of cobbles which aligned correctly with the known section of the Roman road in the field to the north.

{3} Excavation undertaken in 2000-1 as part of the wider mitigation strategy for the A43 road improvement works. This revealed the trace of a cobble layer which was interpreted as the eroded remains of the Roman road from Towcester. There was no supporting dating evidence from within or under it, although some post-medieval pottery, tobacco pipe and brick and tile were retrieved from its surface during cleaning. A similar linear spread oc pebbles was identified on this alignment in the field to the south, 5-10m away during the watching brief. A hollow way ran parallel to the road; it was relatively narrow and without wheel -ruts. It appears likely to have replaced the Roman road.
Two possible quarry pits flanked the road.

<1> MUDD A., 2002, A43 Towcester to M40 Dualling Project Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design, 2002, p.8 (checked) (Report). SNN103239.

<2> MUDD A., 2007, Iron Age and Roman Settlement on The Northamptonshire Uplands, p. 39-42 (Series). SNN106027.

Record last edited

Jul 31 2019 11:29AM