Monument record 1952 - Site of possible Iron Age farmstead and associated field system

Cropmarks were identified on aerial photographs in 1980 and 1982. A middle Iron Age site, defined by geophysical survey in 2010 and trial trench excavation in 2012. The western part of the site was excavated in 2013. A large boundary ditch crossed the entire 400m length of the site and adjacent was a possible shrine with a roundhouse close by. There was a notable lack of settlement activity, including pits, in the vicinity. Several other ditches may have been part of a field system

{2} The most widespread activity recorded during the evaluation was identified in this area; this is mainly due to substantial ditches which extended out from the main area of activity. These appear to be part of a field system, associated with a small farmstead. Almost 1.5kg of late Iron Age pottery, along with animal bone and a piece of iron were recovered from this area. Much of the pottery came from a single pit, which also contained evidence for structured deposition. Evidence for structural remains was also recorded in one trench comprising a possibel ring gully and posthole.

{4} Excavation revealed middle Iron Age activity, including a large boundary ditch crossing the entire 400m length of the site. Adjacent to this was a rectangular structure, possibly a rare example of the middle Iron Age shrine and a large roundhouse close by. Several other ditches, probably part of a field system, and a single large, isolated pit were also present.

{5,6} SP 902 780: A linear ditch and enclosure on AP in 1980 and 1982.

<1> Butler A., 2010, Archaeological geophysical survey on land east of Kettering, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN107967.

<2> Gilmour, N., 2012, Land east of Kettering, Phase A: Archaeological evaluation, 2012, p. 53 (Report). SNN110464.

<3> Gilmour, N., 2013, Iron Age Structures and Associated Activity on Land East of Kettering Areas R7 and R8: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design (Report). SNN109332.

<4> Horne B. (Editor), 2014, South Midlands Archaeology (44), p. 50 (Journal). SNN109842.

<5> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1981, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1980, p. 205 (Article). SNN100418.

<6> Foard G.; Richardson D., 1983, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1982 (Aerial Photography), p. 182 (Notes). SNN100412.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 8:17PM