Monument record 5390/0/5 - Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age Long Mound, West Cotton

A Neolithic long mound at West Cotton, part of a complex of monuments examined as part of the Raunds area project. The mound was orientated roughly east-west, and measured 135 metres by 13 to 18 metres. Nearly half of the monument was excavated. In its first phase, the mound appears to have been circa 90 metres long, and was constructed of turf and soil stacked within a series of rectangular bays defined by transverse and longitudinal lines of stake holes. Parts of the mound were flanked by broad, shallow quarry pits though material from these appears not to have been used on the mound construction. The eastern end of the mound may have featured a south-facing "chamber" defined by stakes and possibly flanked by open bays, and with a forecourt and facade to the east of the chamber. This area was subsequently covered by a simple dumped mound with no internal structure, and the mound extended to its full 135 metre length. A length of carbonized wooden plank from the mound has a calibrated radiocarbon date of 3497-3147 BC. Following the extension of the mound, a gully was cut around its edge. The gully fill contained quantities of burnt material, some dumped but some indicating in situ burning. Charcoal from this fill has been dated to 3691-3388 Cal BC. Stakes at the eastern end suggest some form of facade. Two provided dates of 3255-2925 Cal BC and 2466-2291 Cal BC. The mound material included nearly 4000 struck flints, while the quarry pits adjacent to the mound include quantities of Ebbsflet Ware sherds. A pit sealed by the mound has been dated to 4725-4542 Cal BC, while a tree throw hole beneath the mound was surrounded by a surface scatter of flints. This mound and the adjacent long enclosure appear to have formed a focus for subsequent monuments. The more distant Cotton Henge is also positioned in line with the long mound's axis.

{1} Late neolithic/early Bronze Age activity; a long turf mound was revealed in west part of site; 135m long x between 18-20m wide. The mound was unditched and stood to maximum height of 0.80m at its eastern end. A shallow gully was cut into the surface of the mound. Excavation of the mound revealed evidence of a structure of upright stakes. The mound contained finds of flint tools and a few sherds of prehistoric pottery.

{2} Long mound 135m x 18-20m, with two associated gullies; finds of flints and prehistoric pottery; dated to late neolithic/early bronze age.

{6} The long mound: 135m long, 13m+ 19m wide. At the time of excavation surviving up to a maximum height of 0.8m. Under the mound was one small pit containing charcoal. The bulk of the features were directly associated with the construction of the mound. Several lines of stake holes were located within the central area, transverse lines of stake holes defined irregular bays within the mound. A gully appears to have been cut at a possibly derived form the burning of a fence within the gully. It has been suggested that the gully was dug in order to re-define the mound after a period of decay. The long mound appears to be in the long barrow tradition although no grave pits or burial chambers were recovered.

<1> Windell D., 1988, West Cotton Excavations, (checked) (Interim Note). SNN39521.

<2> 1993, SMR REPORT FORM, (unchecked) (Note). SNN48775.

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

<4> Harding, J. and Healy, F., 2008, The Raunds Area Project: A Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscape in Northamptonshire, p. 54-64 (Report). SNN106245.

<5> Harding, J. and Healy, F., 2011, The Raunds Area Project: A Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscape in Northamptonshire Volume 2 Supplementary Studies, p. 1-36 (Report). SNN108037.

<6> Windell D.; Chapman A.; Woodiwiss J., 1990, From Barrows to Bypass: Excavations at West Cotton, Raunds, Northamptonshire, 1985-1989 (Report). SNN62621.

<7> Gibson, A. (Ed.), 1989, Midlands Prehistory: Some Recent and Current Researches Into the Prehistory of Central England, p. 85-94 (Series). SNN106973.

<8> Historic England, West Cotton (Photographs) (Archive). SNN116420.

Record last edited

Jun 25 2024 10:15AM