Monument record 2409/0/17 - Roman features, Oundle Station Yard

Archaeological excavation and watching brief following an evaluation and in advance of residential development recorded Roman features associated with the small town of Ashton, as well as later activity.

{1} Archaeological evaluation identified possible Roman buildings. There were 10+ postholes packed with limestone, although no pattern could be discerned within the limits of the trench. An area of burning in close proximity to the post holes could be the scant remains of a hearth.

The archaeological remains were truncated by many post-medieval/modern quarry pits. The backfill contained post medieval glass & pottery & clay pipe; the pits were dug in such a way as to leave narrow pinnacles between them: the survival of these pinnacles suggests that the upcast of one quarry pit was used to infill its predecessor.

{2} A small open area excavation undertaken prior to development. A small number of Roman features was identified including several pads of compacted stone fragments laid on a raft gravel and an undated wall, possibly indicating former buildings.

{3}Surviving pocket of undisturbed ground contained part of a timber structure next to a metalled road

{4} Excavation behind the main frontages and alongside the probable side road in Oundle station yard identified further probable timber buildings most of which await full publication but which may have been for ancillary or agricultural purposes (2409/0/17; NAU 1992; JSAC 1998).

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

<2> JOHN SAMUELS ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTANTS, 1998, An Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief at Oundle Station Yard, Ashton, Northamptonshire, p.7-8 (checked) (Report). SNN43710.

<3> WEBSTER M.; PARRY S., 1993, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter, 45 (unchecked) (Notes). SNN39917.

<4> Taylor J., 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Ashton (Roman), Section 3.3 Buildings (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN103116.

Record last edited

Jan 4 2022 3:19PM