Monument record 6801/1 - Probable late Iron Age/early Roman settlement, Denford Ash

Scatter of Roman pottery and rubble found. Magnetometer survey identified a series of superimposed rectilinear enclosures and possible roundhouse

{1}Geophysical survey revealed series of overlying ditches forming enclosures approximately 20m x 20m up to 45m x 55m.. Possible roundhouse with 14m diameter located to south west corner of the complex. Pattern of enclosures etc confused by presence of subsequent ridge and furrow.Degree of re-use of the site evident from overlapping nature of the ditches - although common alignment suggests continuity of settlement.29 Romano-British coins found - predominantly late Roman. Roman pottery scatter found during fieldwalking. Analysis of pottery suggests main occupation did not start until second century, would appear to be mixed occupation with high level domestic element.

{2} The area contained a previously identified Iron Age site together with an adjacent Roman settlement. A magnetometer survey was undertaken on part of the Roman settlement.

An area of 1.2ha was subject to survey above the Roman pottery scatters. A series of superimposed rectilinear enclosures aligned north-northeast/south-southwest was revealed, although the pattern was confused by the presence of subsequent ridge and furrow. The sizes of the enclosures are hard to determine as the features appear to continue beyond the edge of the survey area. Some degree of re-use of the site is evident from the overlapping nature of the ditches, though the adherence to a strict alignment suggests continuity of occupation. A possible linear gap of c25m between the western and eastern enclosures may indicate a central area around which the site was constructed.
A scatter of late Iron Age or early Roman pottery was recovered from a small area, but the site may have originally continued beneath Vicarage Spinney and a modern road.

<1> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.270-73 (checked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<2> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, p. 248/site 37 (Book). SNN105780.

Record last edited

Dec 14 2020 2:07PM