Monument record 8221/0/1 - Round Barrow North-West of Irchester Roman Town

A ring ditch containing Beaker pottery was revealed during excavation. The remains were heavily truncated and no central burial was found.

{1} Excavation produced beaker pottery and cremated bone, suggesting that it was a former barrow, but the remains were so severely truncated by earthmoving that a central burial could not be identified. The barrow ditch had been recut three times, attesting to the longevity of use of the monument, and at least one phase was separated from the burial mound by a berm.

{2} Ring ditch containing Beaker pottery revealed during excavation. Contractors had largely removed it, but a complete section of the ditch (including base) was recorded. Appeared to form a continuous ditched circuit (c.15m in diameter), although in places it had been totally removed. The full ditch profile indicated that three recuts had been recorded which indicates long term maintenance of the feature. The final phase of ditch contained pottery, pot boilers and cremated bone fragments. Inside the ditch circuit was an oval pit measuring 1.9m x 0.9m x 0.15m, this could denote either a tree pit or a grave. The size of the ditch circuit indicates either a round house or a small barrow, as there are no indications of domestic activity it would appear probable that the remains represent a barrow. The small size and apparent isolation of this barrow is noteworthy since its position on a small "island" of high ground may have been too limited to accommodate any more. The presence of a berm is suggested from the section.

{3} The stylistically late Beaker pottery forms from the ditch would date to around 2000BC or slightly
later. Oak and ash charcoal from this final ditch fill was submitted for radiocarbon dating. The date
obtained was 3300-2580 cal BC (95% confidence, Beta 102248), but as this Neolithic date is in conflict
with the Beaker pottery from the same fill it must be assumed that the charcoal was derived from some pre-mound activity.

<1> Meadows I., 1996, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter, p.33 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN40083.

<2> Northamptonshire Archaeology, 1997, An Archaeological Watching Brief and Pre-Emptive Work at Irchester Quarry, pp.7-9 (checked) (Report). SNN39934.

<3> Chapman, A, 2003, Three Bronze Age burial sites in Northamptonshire, p. 3-5 (Article). SNN112185.

Record last edited

Sep 21 2021 3:00PM