Monument record 1611/1 - Possible Romano-British Settlement

An excavation was undertaken in 1954 of a Roman stone well. Romano-British occupation debris as well as Roman coins, pottery, broach and ring were found in the early 1980's. An Anglo-Saxon pottery sherd has also been found.

{1} An excavation was undertaken in 1954 of a Roman stone well, to a total depth of 11ft, the top 6.5ft of which were removed by clay diggings. The well had a radius of 2ft 11ins with a lining of blue clay, and two slabs underlay the masonry at its bottom. Finds included Roman roof tile fragments and pottery sherds (including Samian and greywares), as well as leather fragments and hazelnuts from the bottom of the well. Site of the old brickworks; incorrect grid reference is quoted.

{2} A Roman well has been found at Blisworth by Mr Brian Bunch. The site is on the W side of "The Old Brickworks", a clay pit on the S side of Gayton Road (SP 714536). There is little doubt that it can be associated with the nearby Roman Building (SP 75 SW 2). The masonry lined well had been 11' deep, but 6' 6" had been removed by the clay diggings. It was 2' 11" radius and lined with blue clay. Two slabs underlay the masonry at the bottom of the well. At the bottom were pieces of tegulae, large fragments of Samian; C2nd grey ware, a large fragment of a buff storage jar, hazel nuts, and pieces of leather; Plan and section.

{5} The well was found at SP 71275488 in autumn 1954; it was almost 3/4 mile north of the OS published 'Roman building' and a relationship is not feasible. The finds were classified by MOW. (Anc Mons Inspectors) and were donated to various local schools.

{6} A dense scatter of Roman pottery and tiles has been noted in the vicinity of a well. The latter also contained pottery, including samian and grey ware, and pieces of leather.

{7} Metal detecting finds from 1980-81, seen at Northampton Museum. A bronze coin of Constantius II, issue 341-6; an annular greenish glass bead, diameter 18mm; Guido's 6-II A.

{8} Roman sherds including a few colour coated wares, one Oxfordshire red mortarium sherd and one Anglo-Saxon gritty sherd, found in 1980, north-west of an old clay pit.

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP75SW1 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<2> BROWN G., 1962, Journal of the Northamptonshire Natural History Society and Field Club, p.34/45 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN17265.

<3> Northampton Museum Records, 1954 (Notes) (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN126.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.59 Site 2 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<5> Bunch. B., Roman well at Gayton, unchecked (Oral Report). SNN110343.

<6> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 59/Site 3 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<7> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1983, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1982, 18/173 Gayton (unchecked) (Article). SNN24591.

<8> Brown A.E.(ed), 1982, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1981, 17/100 Gayton (unchecked) (Journal). SNN100413.

<9> Moore, W.R.G., 1982, Finds from Gayton (near Old Clay Pit), (unchecked) (Report). SNN57242.

Record last edited

Apr 28 2021 11:46AM