Monument record 25 - Possible Bronze Age Funerary Site, south-west of Stone House

Cropmarks of two possible Bronze Age round barrow ring ditches visible on aerial photographs. Geophysical survey confirmed the presence of the ring ditches and subsequent trial trench excavation investigated the double-ditched example, although no finds were recovered. The evalution also identified several other undated ditches to the north.

{2} Geophysical survey was undertaken over the proposed route of the relief road. At the south-eastern corner of Field 3 is a small complex of archaeological features. It includes a ring ditch of slightly polygonal form, with a diameter of c12m and, immediately to its south-east, part of a larger double-ditched feature which extends under an adjacent tree belt. The full shape of the latter feature is unsure; but the straightness of its eastern edge suggests it may be oval or lozenge-shaped rather than circular. To its north and west are three probable short linear ditches, and 70m to the north-east a weak magnetic anomaly may relate to another short, curving section of ditch.The ring ditch is most likely to be of Bronze Age date and the other remains could be broadly contemporary with it.

{3} Archaeological trial trench excavation for the proposed A361 relief road identified the ditches of the probable round barrow in trenches 20 and 21, although the inner ditch was only observed in trench 21. No finds were recovered from the ditch fills. Two parallel ditches were identified at the north of trench 22, but were similarly undated. Further undated ditches were observed in trenches 25 and 26.

<1> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<2> Walford, J, 2018, Geophysical Magnetometer Survey for the A361 Chipping Warden relief road, Chipping Warden, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112284.

<3> Finn, C and Sharrock, P, 2018, Interim Statement for Trial Trench Evaluation for the A361 Chipping Warden relief road, Chipping Warden, p. 15-16 (Report). SNN112283.

Record last edited

Apr 1 2025 4:32PM