Monument record 6739 - Roman settlement, south of Meadow Lane

A small quantity of Roman pottery was found during fieldwalking undertaken as part of the Raunds Area Project. Archaeological investigations prior to development between 2017-2018 found extensive evidence of Roman agrarian and industrial activity including a cobbled trackway, pottery kiln, corn drier, five inhumations, a cremation and six stone-lined wells in the western part of the site. Sporadic Iron Age remains and four early-middle Saxon sunken-featured buildings were also identified in this part of the site.

{1} SP 9807 7273. Roman pottery concentration occurs immediately north of the trapezoidal enclosure but can not be directly associated with it. The assemblage comprised 62 sherds. The majority of the concentration is made up of greyware suggesting a purely domestic occupation. The only concentration in the survey without any shelley ware. Pottery possibly denotes presence of a settlement.

{2} Trial trench excavation identified a few features of Roman date indicating that the area was an outlying element of more dense settlement to the north-west.

{3} Archaeological excavation undertaken prior to development in 2017-2018 identified extensive Roman remains concentrated in the western half of the site. A settlement boundary which probably originated in the middle Iron Age appears to have been maintained into the Roman period and defined the southern limit of activity. A cobbled trackway passed through an entranceway along the southern extent of the enclosure ditch. Extensive quarrying lay to the west of the trackway, comprising multiple intercutting pits.

A total of five inhumations and one cremation were identified. The inhumations were aligned east-west and a number of nails, signifiying coffins, were found. Three radiocarbon dates suggest burial in the late Roman period [awaiting two more at time of writing]. A corn drier and pottery kiln were also found; the pottery kiln -of Lower Nene Valley type- was of figure of eight-shape, with a main chamber to the north and raking-out area to the south.

A total of six stone-lined wells were also present. A large amount of pottery and animal bone was recovered from the fill of the wells. One of the wells had a large construction cut with clay packing between the stonework and the cut itself. A semi-complete, late 2nd century, samian Stanfield 67 flagon was recovered from the base of the well, as well as 14 pieces of leather shoe. The most impressive artefact, found in one of the upper fills, was a near life-sized carved wooden arm, possibly a votive offering. A radiocarbon date of 86-240 AD at 95.4% probability (SUERC-82546; 1842+-30BP) has been attained.

{5}

Record last edited

Apr 1 2025 4:27PM