Monument record 3957/0/13 - Possible Romano-British kiln, Blandford Avenue

During 1973/74 trial excavation was undertaken at the north end of Blandford Avenue. A number of features were identified including a possible kiln.

{1}During 1973/74 DOE sponsored trial excavation at north end of Blandford Av. In an unquarried area recently subject to development; excavation was carried out by Kettering Grammar School but poorly executed; box tiles were found on surface of area; pits & a clay-lined oven & circular clay plates; suggests possible use as kiln; possible Romano-British kiln material was recovered; depressions containing limestone were interpreted as possible post settings; finds included Romano-British pot sherds & 5 C4th AD coins comprising: 2 of Gratian; 1 of Constans as Augustus; 1 of Valens; 1 of Valentinian I; also a bone object & tile & plaster;

{7}The location of much of the settlement on a spur of Northampton sand above Gutter Beck would tend to suggest that Kettering may not have great potential for non-carbonised botanical remains but earlier observations have noted numerous wells (3957/0/3, 3957/0/13, 3957/0/21, 3957/0/27) at least one of which contained waterlogged shoes and wood (3957/0/15). Unfortunately none of this information is recorded in sufficient detail to help better understand agricultural or environmental issues.

<1> Dix B.N., Roman Discoveries at Kettering, (checked) (Manuscript). SNN30224.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.102 (part checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP88SE1 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> 1974, Britannia, 5/278 (Journal). SNN58444.

<5> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1974, Archaeology In Northamptonshire 1973, 90 (Article). SNN9109.

<6> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1977, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1976, 212-3 (Report). SNN723.

<7> Taylor, J., 2000, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Kettering (Roman), Section 3.6 Land Use (Digital archive). SNN100751.

Record last edited

Jul 28 2022 1:41PM