Monument record 1921 - Romano-British Settlement & Burial Site, Higham Road

Archaeological excavation was undertaken of a Romano-British settlement prior to housing development. The settlement originated in the late 1st century AD and comprised a system of at least four rectilinear enclosures. By the mid 2nd a 'ladder' enclosure system with integral trackway had been established, representing an expansion of the settlement. In the late 3rd century the enclosure system was expanded to the south-east and a greater number of smaller enclosures were created. The earlier trackway was eventually blocked by quarry pits to the north. A cemetery was also located to the north. At least part of the settlement appears to have remained in use into the 5th century, although only a single artefact of probable Saxon date was found.

{1} Probable Romano-British features shown on figure taken from trial trench report for site to the south: no further details known.

{5, 6, 7} The Romano-British settlement was established in the late 1st century AD on previously unoccupied land. The earliest evidence for activity comprised ephemeral traces of a rectilinear enclosure system. At least four enclosures were identified, two smaller enclosures to the west, and two larger enclosures to the east. Those to the west are divided into an eastern enclosure 440m sq and a western enclosure which continued beyond the limit of excavation. Those to the east comprised a northern enclosure at least 1,000m sq and a southern enclosure at least 550m sq.
A large presumed waterpit was also identified as being of this general phase. It was situated just outside the enclosure system.

In the mid-2nd century a rectilinear ‘ladder’ enclosure system with integral trackway arranged on a north-east to south-west axis was established. Enclosures to the west of the trackway contained evidence for internal activity and a greater quantity of finds in comparison to those to the east of the trackway. The enclosure system continued beyond the limit of excavation to the north and south. The western enclosures contained at least one roundhouse, isolated slots, pits and a handful of cremation burials. The core of the settlement- a concentration of five buildings and other features-occupied three adjacent enclosures. Four of the possible buildings were rectangular in plan; the fifth was a roundhouse. Two presumed quarry pits lay to the west of the roundhouse. This settlement covered more than 1.8ha.

The rectilinear enclosure system was altered in the late 3rd century, albeit reflecting the layout and extent of its predecessor - the trackway and some enclosures went of use while others were repositioned but on a smaller scale. The boundary ditch to the south-east was redug and new enclosures were created next to it. There was, however, no evidence for a break in settlement. Quarrying took place at the northern end of the former trackway, apparently dug over a long period of time to extract clay for use in buildings and structures. Some were later used as rubbish dumps and produced large quantities of finds. Dispersed inhumations occurred over the southern part of the settlement and a cemetery was established within one of the northern enclosures. The settlement appears to have remained in use into the late 4th century.

Forty-six inhumations and four cremations were recovered. There were thirty graves in a formal cemetery (HER No. 1921/1) at the northern end of the enclosure system, with the remainder mainly in clusters within the southern enclosures. A dog burial lay close to one of the clusters, but not close enough to any single burial to suggest a clear association.

The inhabitants of the settlement, like most in rural Roman Britain, presumably practised mixed agriculture, although the absence of any quernstones is unusual. In terms of non-agricultural activities there was sufficient evidence from the settlement for metal working, but only slight evidence for bronze, bone and leather working.

Over 40kg of pottery were recovered. Most of it was locally made coarse ware (grey ware and shelly), much of it from the Nene Valley. Small quantities of regional imports were present, including fine wares from Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire, along with samian from Gaul. Metal finds included: bronze coins, bracelets, brooches, rings and strap ends; and an iron axe, chisel, hobnails, key, knife, nails and miscellaneous objects and weights. Nearly 200 coins were recovered - some possibly associated with the late 3rd century coin hoard found within the settlement in 1954. While the coins and steelyard weights indicate a degree of commerce, there were relatively few items of personal adornment. Perhaps the most unusual object was the right foot of a cast bronze statuette.

Some 10kg of metallurgical residues, indicating that smithing was being undertaken within the settlement, were recovered. One feature also contained a relatively large number of iron strap and strip fragments, perhaps remains of recycled items, or a smith’s discarded stock. No in-situ smithing hearths survived, although several fragmentary hearth bottoms were recovered.
Small quantities of bronze working slag and an unfinished brooch were found. The small size of the assemblage may suggest this activity was carried out for a limited period of time, perhaps by a peripatetic artisan.

{4} Open area excavation undertaken in 2012 on Higham Road identified the continuation of the Romano-British settlement investigated to the north. The site contained one of the main boundary ditches of the settlement and an adjacent ditched enclosure. Within the latter a rectangular sub-enclosure may have defiend a building which left no other trace. A group of possible quarry pits and postholes, possibly representing another building were identified outside the enclosure.

<1> Barker B., 2011, The Bungalow, Higham Road, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Field Evaluation, Fig 6 (Report). SNN107261.

<2> Barker B., 2012, The Bungalow, Higham Road, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire: Summary Report And Updated Project Design, (unchecked) (Report). SNN109859.

<3> Luke, M Pilkinton, K Preece, T Wells, J, 2012, The Bungalow, Higham Road, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire: Summary Report and Updated Project Design (Report). SNN111772.

<4> Luke, M & Preece, T, 2012, The Bungalow, Higham Road, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire: Brief Summary of Contextual Hierarchy (Report). SNN111773.

<5> Horne B. (Editor), 2012, South Midlands Archaeology (42), p.23 (checked) (Journal). SNN108346.

<6> Preece T; Luke M., 2012, Land Off Higham Road, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire: Assessment of Potential and Updated Project Design, p.16 (checked) (Report). SNN109937.

<7> Luke, M & Barker, J, 2019, A Romano-British Settlement and cemetery at Higham Road, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire (Monograph). SNN112136.

<8> Horne B. (Editor), 2012, South Midlands Archaeology (42), p.23 (checked) (Journal). SNN108346.

Record last edited

Jul 16 2021 10:58AM