Monument record 5287 - Late Iron Age Farmstead, north-west of Mounty Mill Cottages

Cropmarks of a linear boundary aligned broadly north-east to south-west with an associated series of small enclosures and/or roundhouses were identified on aerial photographs. Subsequent geophysical survey and trial trench excavation suggested that the settlement was more complex than the photography had suggested. Iron Age pottery was found in most of the excavated features.

{1} Late Iron Age settlement centred on SP 7608 3858.

{2} Geophysical survey undertaken in 2013 indicated that the settlement was likely to be more complex than suggested by the cropmarks, with more curvilinear enclosures identified.

{3} Trial trench excavation undertaken in 2014 largely confirmed the results of the geophysical survey. Many of the enclosure and boundary ditches were recut or were intercutting suggesting some longevity to the settlement. Iron Age pottery was recovered from a majority of the features investigated. It is likely that the features represent a Iron Age farmstead.

{5-7} Iron Age farmstead approximately 550m south east of Dagnall Farm, Wicken, Northamptonshire
This area was assessed as part of Historic England’s North Buckinghamshire Aerial Investigation and Mapping project. However, the features described (above) could not be mapped due to crop conditions and a lack historic aerial photographs available to the project at the time of the survey. No cropmark features are visible on the 1946 aerial photographs but the soil is paler in colour across this area. Modern land use is a solar farm

<1> Markham, P., 1997, Oral Report to SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN50477.

<2> GSB Prospection, 2013, Mount Mill Farm, Deanshanger: Geophysical Survey Report (Report). SNN112243.

<3> Evans, D., 2014, Mount Mill Farm, Wicken, Northamptonshire: Archaeological evaluation, 2014, p. 11-12 (Report). SNN110535.

<4> Cotswold Archaeology, 2022, Site Data from Multiple Archaeological Investigations at Mount Mill Farm, Wicken, Northamptonshire 2014 and 2015, https://doi.org/10.5284/1100091 (Digital archive). SNN114235.

<5> 2018-2019, HE Aerial Photographers comment, North Buckinghamshire AIM 7768, M Noke, 30 November 2023 (Note). SNN116328.

<6> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, RAF/CPE/UK/1792 RS 4174 11-Oct-1946 (Photographs). SNN104890.

<7> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, RAF-3G-TUD-UK-86 RV 6016 26-Mar-1946 (Photographs). SNN104890.

Record last edited

May 7 2024 3:56PM