Monument record 3126 - Possible prehistoric/ Romano-British settlement and/or funerary site

Cropmarks of rectilinear boundaries and enclosures and a circular enclosure have been identified on aerial photographs. Much of the surrounding area has been quarried. Subsequent archaeological evaluation has identified some evidence of Iron Age and Roman settlement, although the cropmarks seen on aerial photographs have not been identified by the geophysical surveys.

{1} Geophysical survey identified a probable enclosure and a weak linear suggesting a possible track or boundary.

{4} Trial trench excavation identified part of an Iron Age enclosure ditch and two shallow Roman
gullies. The rest of the possible features comprised two shallow gullies and post-medieval and later quarrying.

{6} The complex of linear and curvilinear cropmarks seen on aerial photos have not been identified in the geophysical survey.

{7} Ring? Possibly other features are geological?

{8} Cropmark features mentioned above {7} were visible and mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. A circular enclosure about 35metres across is centred at SP 92026 65827 and to the east are two short sections of parallel ditches at SP 92146 65837.

<1> Bartlett A., 2011, Land at Irchester, Northamptonshire: Report on Archaeological Geophysical Survey, 2011 (Report). SNN111828.

<2> Jones, C., 2011, Archaeological trial trenching on land west of High Street and land adjoining Irchester Sports Association, Irchester, Northamptonshire December 2011, p.4 (checked) (Report). SNN108168.

<3> Chapman P. (Editor), 2012, Archaeology in Northamptonshire, 2011, 37/209, 210, 215 (checked) (Chapter). SNN108375.

<4> Horne B. (Editor), 2012, South Midlands Archaeology (42), 42/31 (checked) (Journal). SNN108346.

<5> Lewis D., 2012, Land West of High Street and Land Adjoining Irchester Sports Association, Irchester: Archaeological Assessment, Appendix 1 (checked) (Report). SNN108354.

<6> Webb, A., 2013, Land Adjoining Irchester Sports Association, Irchester, Northamptonshire: Geophysical Survey (Report). SNN109644.

<7> Brown AE, 1980, Aerial Photography 1980, p. 178 (Notes). SNN104579.

<8> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC 5116/39 30-JUL-1979 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

Record last edited

Feb 7 2025 2:35PM