Monument record 2409/0/16 - Possible Roman road

{1} Trench 1: 3 ditches on north-west to south-east alignment; possibly represent successive ditches associated with roman road uncovered in trench 2.
Trench 2: road revealed; constructed from gravel & pebbles & worn limestone; cambered profile; may mark continuation of Roman road found to east of A605 in 1982. A roadside ditch and gully were also seen.

{2} Surviving pockets of undisturbed ground contained a metalled road with side ditches.

{3} Secondary to this, are a series of looping side roads to the west of the main route, which appear to meet at a complex junction close to the disused railway to the north west (2409/0/16, 2409/0/21). Beyond this junction the air photographic evidence is less clear but two further track ways seem to provide access to the agricultural landscapes outside the town to the north and west.

{4} Subsequent excavation in the area of this possible road showed no indication of any road makeup material which would be expected. Another problem with the interpretation of these deposits as a Roman road is that at certain points the boundary of the comacted gravel is extremely sharp with some substantial edges and sharp corners, not normally associated with a metalled Roman road surface.

<1> Webster, M. & Parry, S., 1992, Archaeological Evaluation at Oundle Station Yard, Ashton, p.7-8 (checked) (Report). SNN1323.

<2> WEBSTER M.; PARRY S., 1993, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter, 45 (unchecked) (Notes). SNN39916.

<3> Taylor J., 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Ashton (Roman), Section 3.1 Communications (checked) (Digital archive). SNN103116.

<4> JOHN SAMUELS ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTANTS, 1998, An Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief at Oundle Station Yard, Ashton, Northamptonshire, p,13 (checked) (Report). SNN43710.

Record last edited

Aug 9 2011 5:00PM