Monument record 2040 - Probable Iron Age & Romano-British Settlement

Extensive area of probable later prehistoric and Roman settlement

{1} An enclosed settlement was found in Field 6 of the evaluation. Also the presence of a number of possible unenclosed round houses was observed in the geophysical survey results and in the trial excavation in the eastern part of field 6.

{3} Archaeological mitigation in 2023/24 exposed a total of seven ditches, some of which were intercutting, and two pits. With the exception of one ditch recorded in Trench 5B and 6, all the features were sealed by a c0.5m thick alluvium layer. This layer most likely is related to the activity of the nearby river Nene. At least four archaeological phases have been identified. The first phase of archaeology is indicated by a single shallow curvilinear ditch exposed in the southern part of the main excavation area. This ditch was truncated by a later linear ditch. The second and most physically dominant phase is indicated by a series of sub-panelled narrow linear ditches that run with east-west orientation through the main excavation area and their continuation was recorded in Trench 3B and 5B. At least four ditches were identified, all converging into a single one, which suggests a series of possible of possible re-cut of the same feature. The ditches likely represent field boundaries or the edge of a droveway. The third phase is represented by an L-shaped ditch that marks the end of use of the purported droveway/field boundary. The ditch was recut on at least one occasion and its continuation south of the main excavation area in Trench 1B. The shape of the ditch suggests a function as an rectangular enclosure but no other features can be safely associated with it. A rectangular pit was found outside of this ditch and it is unclear whether this pit belongs to this phase. The last phase is represented by a substantial ditch exposed in the eastern part of the site in Trench 5B and 6. The ditch cut through the upper part of one of the ditches of phase 2. The interpretation of this ditch is that it is a furrow. No artefacts were recovered from the mitigation but despite this, a tentative period range has been suggested based on investigations from previous work and work in the surrounding areas. The main occupation likely dates to the Roman period and includes the droveway/field boundary ditches and also the rectangular enclosure. It is unclear whether the area was already occupied in the Iron Age if the curvilinear ditch of Phase 1 dates to that period. A medieval or post-medieval use of the land is indicated by ditch/furrow.

<1> Walsh T.; Maull A., 2003, An Archaeological Trial Excavation at Earls Barton Quarry (Western Extension), p.12-13 (checked) (Report). SNN103300.

<2> Rees G., 2008, Enclosure Boundaries and Settlement Individuality in The Iron Age, (unchecked) (Article). SNN106040.

<3> Elisa Vecchi, 2024, AREA A, EARLS BARTON SPINNEY QUARRY, GRENDON ROAD, EARLS BARTON, WELLINGBOROUGH, NORTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL MITIGATION (Report). SNN116984.

Record last edited

Feb 2 2026 11:29AM