Monument record 3635 - Probable Prehistoric/Romano-British Settlement, west of Great Harrowden

Complex series of cropmarks comprising interlocking enclosures and possible hut circles as well as trackways and other linear features. Extensive scatters of Roman pottery and roof tiles have been found. Some of the cropmarks may be associated with the medieval settlement remains immediately south-west of the church. Geophysical survey to the south and south-west of Great Harrowden has indicated that the activity extends beyond those features identified as cropmarks. Trial trench excavation has confirmed that the features are of Romano-British date and are likely to be part of a rural settlement.

{1} Cropmarks of enclosures and hut circles surrounded by a series of ditches of unclear pattern.

{5} Cropmarks of rectangular enclosures and linear ditches, and the ring ditches of possible hut circles.

{6} Archaeological observations in 1970 were:-
SP 875707. Ditch cropmarks of an irregular pattern with surface scatter of black burnished shelly pottery and burnt hearth cobbles.

SP 877707. Cropmarks of a regular squarish pattern extending east into the field containing a moat (SP 87 SE 8) with a wide scatter of Romano British pottery and clay roof tiles.

SP 880710. Square cropmark in the field to the west of the road, service trenches to new houses revealed several pits containing Romano British pottery.

{7} A complicated series of cropmarks. At SP87457076 is an irregular enclosure with ditches divisions. To the north-east at SP87557081 are circular features linked by a ditch to two irregular enclosures with internal divisions at SP87737069. The cropmarks at SP873707 and SP879706 are too vague to interpret.

{13} Trial trench excavation on land at Glenvale park confirmed the results of a previous geophysical survey, identifying part of a rural Roman settlement forming a rectilinear system of boundaries and enclosures. Dating evidence indicates occupation in the later Roman period, with a suggested peak between AD150‐400. Good assemblages of charred grain comprising not only cereals and weed seeds, but also instances of glume bases, which indicates possible on‐site crop processing. Faunal remains were dominated by cattle and sheep/goat, which suggests that livestock management
formed part of the site economy.

{14} (SP880706 - SP872705) Numerous large and small sub rectangular and rec moat.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.80/Site 7 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP87SE16 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> HOLLOWELL R., 1971, Aerial Photography and Fieldwork in the Upper Nene Valley, p.12 Site 2 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN106546.

<4> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1967, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1966/67 (Roman), p.10 (unchecked) (Article). SNN58197.

<5> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, NCCAP:SP8770/011-13 (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<6> Brown, A E (ed), 1971, Bulletin of the Northamptonshire Federation of Archaeological Societies, p.18 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN13960.

<7> BROWN G., Roman Survey, (checked) (Archive). SNN48001.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP87SE29 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<9> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1966, Bulletin of the Northamptonshire Federation of Archaeological Societies (Air Photography), 1/20 (checked) (Article). SNN40027.

<10> Steadman S., 1992, A509 Isham And Great Harrowden Bypasses Archaeological Evaluation, Stage 1: Desk-top Survey, p.3 (checked) (Report). SNN101558.

<11> Smalley R., 2006, Geophysical Survey Report: Upper Redhill, Wellingborough (Report). SNN110629.

<12> Smalley, R., 2007, Upper Redhill, Wellingborough: Geophysical Survey Report (Report). SNN111693.

<13> Benet, Y F, 2021, Glenvale Park, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation Report (Report). SNN112807.

<14> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1980, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1979, p. 178 (Article). SNN56490.

<15> Crank, N. (Editor), 2023, South Midlands Archaeology (53), P. 74 (Journal). SNN116414.

Record last edited

Feb 7 2025 2:51PM