Monument record 7166/0/2 - Possible Romano-British Riverine Structure, Grendon Quarry

Roman features excavated at Grendon in 1996-7 in advance of gravel extraction include several timber piles, where a possible trackway crossed an old watercourse.

{1} Archaeological investigation identified a palaeochannel which appeared to be curving and running E/W then NW/SE. The southern and south western edges of this channel contained silt and gravel deposits through which pointed timber uprights that had been driven in to support a structure.

It is thought that the timber structure is probably a form of river crossing other than a 'conventional' rural bridge. The structure is almost certainly of Romano British date as abraded RB pottery sherd were located in the upper channel deposit around it. The edge of the palaeochannel was substantially silty at the time of construction as the timbers were driven through the silts. The area of the palaeochannel and timber structure was buried under alluvial silty clay, sometime after the Roman period, possibly as late as the Late Saxon period.

A stone spread was situated on the northern edge of the palaeochannel. This was a sparse layer of sandstone and some limestone with no discernible patterning. It may be the remnants of 'stepping stones' or stones laid on wet channel silts to stand on during the construction or repair of the timber strcture.

{2} Timbers found just below water level on edge of quarry (in heavy silt). The exposure consisted of nine posts, arranged in three lines, crossing the palaeochannel, some outliers and a small amout of debris. Wood identitied as oak - combination of sapwood and roundwood posts. None of the timber appeared to be taken from very large trees but to have been radially split out of trees less than one metre in diameter. All the verticals were in the range 130-280mm. Two slightly outlying timbers which were also raking towards the main lines were slightly smaller (100x70mm and 100x80mm respectively).The spacings and size of the timbers, with their position in the channel, would appear to indicate a bridge, but an alternative explanation would be for a fish weir. Damage to the structure (by heavy machinary) ensures that the timber is unsuitable for dendrochronolgical dating. The timbers are to be preserved in situ under waterlogged conditions.

<1> 1998, Grendon Lakes Planning Application, (unchecked) (Report). SNN43417.

<2> Taylor M., 1997, Site Visit to Grendon Lakes: Exposure of A Possible Roman Bridge, (unchecked) (Report). SNN41900.

<3> Humphrey R., 1998, Grendon Lakes, Northamptonshire, Planning Application WP95/440C: Area A Timber Structure, (unchecked) (Report). SNN73058.

<4> Northamptonshire Heritage?, 1996-1997, Roman bridge site, Grendon Lakes (Photographic prints (COL)). SNN110700.

Record last edited

Oct 25 2023 2:19PM