Monument record 5390/2/1 - Neolithic 'Long Enclosure', West Cotton

A Neolithic "long enclosure" at West Cotton, part of a complex of monuments examined as part of the Raunds area project. The enclosure measures 117 metres by 17 metres internally, and is orientated southwest-northeast. It is defined by a single enclosing ditch which appears to be continuous. The northernmost 26 metres was completely excavated, while the precise location of the long sides and southern terminal were confirmed by machine-cut trial trenches. Evidence from the ditch fills suggests the former presence of internal banks adjacent to the long sides, as well as episodes of localised recutting within the ditches. Few finds were recovered. A few struck flints were found, while a red deer antler rake and two items of cattle bone came from primary fills. The antler rake provided a calibrated radiocarbon date of 3360-2880 BC, and a cattle tibia was dated to 3360-2460 BC. The excavated part of the enclosed area contained no archaeological features, though two tree-throw holes were identified. The long enclosure appears to have been the (or a) focus for subsequent monuments and related activity in the vicinity (see associated monuments).

{1} Long enclosure 120m x 20m, defined by a single ditch. Finds of flint, bone and antler. Late Neolithic/early Bronze Age.

{2} Late Neolithic/early Bronze Age activity. South-west to north-east running, long, ditched enclosure. 120m long x 20m wide. No features were observed within the enclosure apart from possible internal banks running along its long sides.

{6} The Long Enclosure extended the south-west/north/east alignment of the earlier, northern part of the Turf mound, and its north-east end converged with that of the Long Mound. The ditch and the interior were truncated, especially by leats and channels that ran across the monument. A natural stream channel cutting across the south end may have been active in the Neolithic period, in which case the the enclosure would have straddled the stream. In the clean primary silts were a red deer antler 'rake', a cattle tibia fragment and a cattle radius fragment. Otherwise the only finds were a flint blade and seven flakes. The antler rake is dated to 3360-2880 cal BC (4411+/-77BP; UB-3312) and the cattle tibia to 3360-2460 cal BC (4278+/-156 BP; UB-3308). It seems probable the antler was used in the monument's construction; for this reason and due to the large error term on UB-3308, UB3312 is the preferred estimate for construction date.

{8} Neolithic/Bronze Age, features revealed included a long enclosure 120m long and 20m wide. The enclosure was defined by a single ditch and there were no internal features. The only find was a red-deer antler rake and two pieces of cattle bone.

<1> 1993, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN48778.

<2> Windell D., 1988, West Cotton Excavations, (checked) (Interim Note). SNN39521.

<3> Windell D., West Cotton, Raunds: The Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age Ritual Focus, (unchecked) (Report). SNN55619.

<4> Dix B. (editor), 1986-7, The Raunds Area Project: Second Interim Report, p.11 (checked) (Article). SNN76070.

<5> FOARD G.R.; PEARSON T., 1985, The Raunds Area Project: First Interim Report, p.4 (checked) (Article). SNN69970.

<6> Harding, J. and Healy, F., 2008, The Raunds Area Project: A Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscape in Northamptonshire, p. 94-98 (Report). SNN106245.

<7> Harding, J. and Healy, F., 2011, The Raunds Area Project: A Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscape in Northamptonshire Volume 2 Supplementary Studies, p. 96-105 (Report). SNN108037.

<8> Gibson, A. (Ed.), 1989, Midlands Prehistory: Some Recent and Current Researches Into the Prehistory of Central England, p. 85-94 (Series). SNN106973.

<8> Windell D.; Chapman A.; Woodiwiss J., 1990, From Barrows to Bypass: Excavations at West Cotton, Raunds, Northamptonshire, 1985-1989 (Report). SNN62621.

<9> Historic England, West Cotton (Photographs) (Archive). SNN116420.

Record last edited

Jun 25 2024 10:18AM