Monument record 1641/0/25 - Roman building, east of Irchester Roman town

Archaeological excavation undertaken prior to widening of the A45 road in 1981/2 revealed a Roman building and associated features as well as evidence of surrounding field systems

{2} Part of a substantial stone building of C3rd date was revealed.

{3} Only part of the building was available for excavation, the remainder lay beyond the threatened area and its full dimensions remain unknown. The walls of the building were substantially constructed and faced at either side with ironstone blocks with a rubble core. The foundations were set 0.3m into natural clay and formed a structure 11m wide. Within the building was the remains of a clay floor overlying a bedding of crushed ironstone. A short wall had been built against the west side of the building and into this had been built a small oven. The oven was constructed of ironstone blocks and was 2m long x 1.3m wide. Two narrow flues were present, one of which replaced the other and both had been served by a shallow stake hole to the east. West and south of the oven were other minor features including a spread of limestone metalling and a linear soilmark. The pottery was dated to the late C2nd to early C4th and contained a higher proportion of grey wares and in more varied forms than later phases.
Possible yard area lay outside the building. Re-metalled on several occasions. Pottery was dated to the late C2nd to early C4th and contained a higher proportion of grey wares and in more varied forms than later phases. A coin of Constantine II, dated to 317-320 AD, was retrieved from the final remetalling of the yard indicating final use of building in early to mid C4th. Finds include a copper alloy ligula with flat angled scoop. Also a fragment of thin sheet bronze which may have been part of composite vessel or served as decorative strip or binding. Iron objects included a fragment of binding.
Associated with the yard surface was a boundary ditch laid out parallel to the stone building. A further trench cut to the south confirmed its alignment and revealed many more recuts than to north. Recuts suggest the ditch was a major boundary. Where it ran close to the building the ditch had been later filled and a surface of limestone blocks put down. From the latter was recovered the broken stem of a copper alloy pin. Pottery dated to the late C2nd to early C4th and contained a higher proportion of grey wares and in more varied forms than later phases. Of 10 coins recovered from this trench the latest was in the final back-fill of the boundary ditch and could be taken to show a final abandonment by mid C4th at latest.
A pair of shallow gullies was cut through surfaces to the east of the Phase II building, probably for drainage. Also two areas of rubble lay to the south. These comprised limestone blocks which were clearly laid but dissimilar to other metalled surfaces and without worn surfaces or evidence of any structural function. The pottery assemblage was close to Phase III ie.C4th but features could not be demonstrated to post-date Phase II building.
Possible post-Roman ditches and robber trenches. The ditches were not aligned with the earlier building and may have been post Roman, but the pottery was consistent with a C4th date. Pottery included Oxfordshire colour-coated wares. Also two coins dated 318-320 AD and 330-337 AD but both likely to have been residual. Other finds included a copper alloy harness fitting with decorated terminals and possibly from a military context. Also part of a copper alloy finger ring. Iron objects included a broken stylus inlaid with brass at base of the stem. Also rectangular-sectioned bar of indeterminate purpose and the stem of a nail.

{4} Geophysics survey was conducted on the site of this building. The results were inconclusive but were probably affected by a nearby fence and local manure heap.

<1> Windell D., 1982, A45: Irchester Archaeological Excavations 1981-1982, (unchecked) (Report). SNN59538.

<2> Windell D., 1984, Irchester Roman Town: Excavations of 1981-82, p.34 (checked) (Article). SNN44248.

<3> Brown A.E.(ed), 1982, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1981, p.100 (checked) (Journal). SNN100413.

<4> Soden I.; Masters P., 1993, Archaeological Survey at Irchester, Northamptonshire 1993: Irchester Heritage Park Car Park Stage 1, p.4 (checked) (Report). SNN1708.

Record last edited

Mar 26 2020 2:12PM