Monument record 3616 - Probable Prehistoric/Romano-British Settlement, north of Hill Top Road

Cropmarks of multi-period features identified on aerial photographs including rectilinear enclosures, ring ditches and pits. Archaeological evaluation on the eastern edge of the complex has identified evidence of Iron Age, and possibly Saxon, settlement. Summary from record 3617: Cropmarks of undated ditches identified on aerial photographs.

{1} Cropmarks recorded in 1981. Enclosures of a possible rectilinear field system. Confused by geological features.

{2} Cropmarks. A complex series of enclosures, ditches and double parallel ditches suggesting a multi-period site.

{5} The discovery of a near complete saxon vessel means the cropmarks have the potential to be Saxon rather than Iron Age or Roman. However Iron Age pottery was also found.

{7} A complex of rectangular enclosures and linear ditches aligned along a possible trackway. Part of a wider complex [and formerly labelled as a separate Mon, 3617].

{8} Geophysical survey identified large numbers of positive magnetic anomalies in the pilot survey, in an area of known cropmarks. These were interpreted as linear and curving ditches, rectilinear ditched enclosures, and pits. A possible hearth or kiln was identified near to the southern boundary of the survey area.

{9} Trial trench evaluaton identified a number of ditches and pits that contained small smounts of Iron Age pottery at the south-eastern edge of the cropmark complex adjacent to Hill Top Road. The ditches probably formed part of enclosures. Many of the ditches had not been identified previously as cropmarks. The sharply rectilinear plan of the some of the undated ditches suggests that they may date to the Roman period and the discovery of a near-complete Saxon pot indicates occupation extended into the Saxon period.

{11} SP 878 721 Ring ditch of a possible hut circle and pits. NCCAP:SP8772/001-4.

{13} (SP876720) Enclosure, ditches on AP in 1982.




[SMR note 21/08/2007: some of the linear features appear to coincide with others, part of Monument No 3614, on the south side of Hill Top Road.]

<1> FOARD G.R., 1981, Oral Report to SMR, (checked) (Oral Report). SNN51009.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.82/Site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<3> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, NCCAP:SP8772/001-4, SP8872/001+025-30 (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<4> Fisher G.; Butler A., 2004, A509 Isham Bypass, Isham, Northamptonshire: Geophysical Survey September 2004, (unchecked) (Report). SNN105008.

<5> Steadman S., 1992, A509 Isham And Great Harrowden Bypasses Archaeological Evaluation, Stage 1: Desk-top Survey, p.5 (checked) (Report). SNN101558.

<6> SHAW M.; STEADMAN S., 1992, A509 Isham Bypass Archaeological Evaluation, Stage 1: Supplementary Report, Sites 21+22 (unchecked) (Report). SNN71612.

<7> Cherrington R.; Foard A., 2004, A509 Isham Bypass, Isham, Northamptonshire: A Walk-Over and Photographic Survey, p.2 (checked) (Report). SNN104945.

<8> Foard-Colby A.; Butler A., 2004, A509 Isham Bypass, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Fieldwalking and Geophysical Surveys, p.7-8 (checked) (Report). SNN105010.

<9> Foard-Colby A., 2004, Proposed A509 Isham Bypass, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation, October 2004, p. 6, 7 (unchecked) (Report). SNN105009.

<10> 1982, Aerial Photography in Northamptonshire 1981, p.108 Little Harrowden (checked) (Journal). SNN104561.

<11> FOARD G.R., 1980, Oral Report to SMR, (checked) (Oral Report). SNN51136.

<12> Aerial Photograph, A/P (CUAP ABV 58-59) (Photographs). SNN112974.

<13> Foard G.; Richardson D., 1983, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1982 (Aerial Photography), p. 180 (Notes). SNN100412.

Record last edited

Feb 7 2025 2:51PM