Monument record 1798 - Iron Age & Romano-British Settlement, Red House

At least three conjoined ditched enclosures of Iron Age or Roman date is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. Located in a field south of Midland Road NE of Manor Farm, the features comprise two irregularly shaped ditched enclosures, neither of which is complete, to the east of which appears to be a D-shaped enclosures. Adjacent is a sinuous section of ditch, aligned N-S. Iron Age and Roman pottery funds have been made at this location. Fieldwalking survey suggests a settlement with Iron Age origins with occupation extending into the middle Roman period. Archaeological observation during the FINA pipeline project identified late Iron Age pottery and pits and ditches, but no excavation was possible.

{1} Complex of enclosures and linear ditches covering an area of 4 hectares; the longest stretch of ditch is 106m long. Not all activity may have been revealed as cropmarks.

{2} Aerial photography of 1982 revealed enclosures.

{4} One of two distinct sets of cropmarks lying 280m apart, identified in adjacent fields [see also Mon 1319]. The cropmarks appear to form two separate, but possibly contemporary farms, both of which demonstrate continuity from the Iron Age to the early Roman periods.
The cropmarks of RAP 42b occupy an area of about 4ha and comprise an agglomeration of at least three amorphous and sub-ovoid enclosures, abutted and crossed by stretches of linear ditches. The individual enclosures range in size from 0.1ha up to 0.3ha, whilst the long stretch of linear ditch is about 106m and aligned north-northeast to south-southwest. Although the relationship between these different elements is uncertain, the impression is of more than one constructional phase. A semi-circular ditch and other short lengths may indicate further activity that has not been fully revealed by the cropmarks. Almost 50m to the south and separated from the main group by a medieval furlong boundary, is a discrete arch-shaped enclosure of about 0.07ha.
Iron Age pottery forms a discrete scatter in and around the group of cropmarks. It is less widespread around the agglomerated enclosures but is concentrated in the area of the cropmarks. The presence and distribution of the pottery suggest that the settlement had an Iron Age origin.
The site appears to have a halo of Roman pottery, including both early and late material, which merges with the general background of pottery. The apparent dearth of pottery to the east and west and within a smaller area of about 4ha immediately to the south of the arch-shaped enclosure may indicate different land use, possibly permanent pasture or woodland. Further description of the Iron Age and Roman pottery given.

{5} Late Iron Age and Romano-British pottery was found on the stripped surface and spoil heaps. A number of pits and ditches were exposed along the pipeline corridor but no archaeological work was possible.

{6} A number of ditches or pits were exposed but no archaeological work was possible.

{7} At least three conjoined ditched enclosures of Iron Age or Roman date is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. Located in a field south of Midland Road about 487 metres NE of Manor Farm and centred at TL 00946 72694, the features comprise two irregularly shaped ditched enclosures, neither of which is complete, to the east of which appears to be a D-shaped enclosures. Adjacent is a sinuous section of ditch, aligned N-S. Iron Age and Roman pottery funds have been made at this location (NRHE 11397).

<1> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.281 (checked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<2> Foard G.; Richardson D., 1983, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1982 (Aerial Photography), p.181 Raunds (checked) (Notes). SNN100412.

<3> 1982, Aerial Photography in Northamptonshire 1981, p.107 Raunds (checked) (Journal). SNN104561.

<4> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, p.251-254/Site 42 (Book). SNN105780.

<5> Musgrave E.C.; Tingle M. (editors), 1991, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1990, p.111 Raunds (checked) (Article). SNN100325.

<6> Jackson D.A., 1990, Fina Pipeline Project 1990: Archive Report, (part checked) (Report). SNN1567.

<7> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC SF1983/26 31-JUL-1981 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

Record last edited

Jan 18 2023 1:02PM