Monument record 1984 - Probable prehistoric and/or Roman settlement, west of Hockerhill Farm

Cropmarks of a rectangular ditched enclosure with tile, pottery and coins indicates a Roman settlement. Prehistoric scraper found. Geophysical survey of the northern part of the settlement has confirmed the presence of the large double-ditched enclosure as well as further subrectangular enclosures immediately to the east.

{1} (SP 851651) Cropmarks. R Hollowell. 13.8.63. RB sherds, tesserae and roofing tile. (Nothing visible on available Aps RAF 1960).

{2} Mr Callis, The Farm, Mears Ashby, the owner, found a thumb nail scraper at SP 85306512, also from this site he has found RB occupation debris including samian and tesserae since 1964.

{3} SP 851653 Concentrated scatter of limestone, Roman pottery (grey, samian and colour coated wares), red clay tesserae, large building tiles and a rotary quern found. Also a general scatter of worked flints (See SP 86 NE 20).

{4} Roman Settlement in the south of the parish. Air photographs (in NMR) show what appears to be a large rectangular double-ditched enclosure, a long section of linear ditch and other associated features. However the presence of extensive frost-wedging makes the extent and nature of this site uncertain.

{5} Roman settlement (SP 850652) Two Roman coins have been found, one of Gallienus and one of Crispus.

{6} (SP 850653). Sub-rectangular enclosure with out-turned entrance, on AP in 1979.

{7} Listed in gazetteer of Roman villas.

{8} Fieldwalking survey here over a number of years has found limestone, Roman pottery, red clay tesserae, tile, a rotary quern and worked flint. cSP 85216535

{9} (SP850652) Roman coin found. In poor condition but identified.

{10} Geophysical survey confirmed the presence of the large double-ditched enclosure and also identified further large sub-rectangular enclosures immediately to the east. The area of settlement extends beyond the survey area to the south.

<1> Northampton Museum Records, Northants Museum 6" (Uncertain). SNN126.

<2> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1970, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1969 (Roman), 4/10 (Article). SNN100535.

<2> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 25-AUG-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<3> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1971, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1970 (Air Photography), p. 15-6 (Article). SNN32714.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.109/Site 7 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

<4a> Brown A.E. (Ed.), 1970, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1969 (Air Photography), p. 10 (Article). SNN58608.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 109/Site 7 (Series). SNN77380.

<4> CALLIS W.G., 1981, Mears Ashby: From Ice Age to Space Age, 1981, (unchecked) (Report). SNN109952.

<5b> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1977, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1976, p. 213 (Report). SNN723.

<5c> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1978, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1977, p. 181 (Journal). SNN2192.

<5> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 200/Site 7 (Series). SNN77382.

<6> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1980, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1979, p. 178 (Article). SNN56490.

<7> Scott, E., 1993, A gazetteer of Roman villas in Britain, p. 145, NH 84 (Monograph). SNN110345.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP86NE20 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<9> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1981, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1980, P. 181 (Article). SNN100418.

<10> Brunning, E, 2024, Green Hill Solar Project, Sites C, D and E, Northamptonshire: Geophysical Survey (Interim report) (Report). SNN116667.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 8:25PM