Monument record 3860 - Iron Age to Roman settlement, Hardwick Park

Cropmarks of rectangular enclosures, now built over. Excavation between 1968 and 1970 when the area was being developed recovered evidence for Iron Age and Roman settlement over an area of c20acres which finished at the end of the 1st century AD. A pottery industry then existed on the site from cAD 150-250.

{1} Fieldwalking in 1965-69 found Iron Age and Romano-British pot sherds, building material, bronze fragments, 4 bronze coins and roof tiles.
Excavation between 1968 and 1970 identified a number of enclosures and kilns.
Iron Age enclosure: Three sides of this enclosure was recorded. Basically an Iron Age enclosure, pottery from the upper fill belonging to the pre-conquest primary Belgic period. The enclosure is re-cut on the north and most of the east side, and from its refilling 1st century AD debris was recovered, mainly Roman. The enclosure ditch was seen several times in full section. C. 3m wide and 1.55m deep.

Possible Iron Age enclosure-This enclosure is part of a complex of enclosures and sub-enclosures, and is dated to pre-Belgic occupation in this part of the site. Ditch width between 1m and 1.8m in width and about 1.45m deep. The two sub-enclosures 7A and B had a fill much darker in the upper layers than the main enclosure ditch, and the area within them contained many patches of burnt clay and charcoal.

Enclosure 2: The upper filling of this enclosure ditch was dated to the last quarter of the 1st century AD. It had a close relationship with Enclosure 3 and was at some period possibly contemporary to it. The ditch appeared unbroken apart from an area of later quarrying which presumably masks the position of the entrance. The enclosure ditch was seen in section several times and was between 2m and 2.5m wide and 1.25m deep with a dark stony fill that showed at least one recut. Enclosure 3 was possibly an enlargement to Enclosure 2. Entrance in south side. The ditch was c. 3m wide and averaged 1.8m deep.Clay roof tile and a great deal of pottery was recovered from the ditches of Enclosure 3. It is of a late 1st/early 2nd century date range-just later than enclosure 2. Enclosure 4 was an addition to Enclosures 2/3 and made either with or after Enclosure 3. It had been re-cut around the northern and southern arms. It had either two entrances, one to the North and one to the South or at these points it abutted on an outer ditch. A little pottery. Late 1st/early 2nd?. About 1.5m wide recut wider to 2m. Depth averaged 1m.

Enclosure 5 was nearly square and about 26m by 28m. The ditch was between 1m and 1.8m wide and 0.6m to 0.8m deep. Kiln debris from kiln 1 found in the ditch 7 nearest the kiln. About middle of 1st century AD.

Pottery kiln 1-probably type 3C. The furnace was just under 1m across and 0.4m deep. The stakehole was the same depth and 1.5m long. The kiln had been cut into the clay subsoil which was burnt to a red colour around the furnace. There was no lining. The fired clay supports of the fluearch were found in their original positions.The furnace had been cleaned out after use. After disuse, some silting had occurred, particularly in the stakehole.before the kiln was filled in with a mixture of kiln debris, earth, some pottery. Middle ist century AD. Some kiln debris was found in ditch 7-contemporary.

Kiln 2. Fill burnt stones, burnt clay and a lot of charcoal. The sides of the feature consisted of natural clay subsoil burnt red to a depth of 8cm. The size and shape suggests line burning as its function. No finds but the two other lime kilns were dated as being possibly 2nd century AD.

Kiln 3. Limestone masonry, survived to seven courses high-1.22m high. But wall robbed out on the western side. Flue hole on the southern side.A clay formed ledge ran around the internal circumference of the structure. After disuse the western limestone walling was robbed out and 2nd century rubbish was tipped into the former kiln from the robbed out side.

Kiln 4-Possibly 2A or 3C type. Dated mid to late Ist century AD.Furnace bowl appeared unlined. Remains of pedestals of prefabricated clay-a base on which to rest kiln bars. A kiln bar survived to a length of 18cm, and a width of 8cm and a thickness of 2cm. Some pottery sherds from storage jars-similar to other pottery kiln excavated (Kiln 1).

Kiln 5 was made up of limestone walling some courses high. Fairly circular feature.Had clay ledge-ran around the internal circumference of the structure. A clay lined bowl served as the furnace floor. Was wrongly identified as a pottery kiln at first. Dated by Gwen Brown as 2nd to 3rd century.

{5, 10, 15} The settlement or settlements (the whole of the area was probably not in use at the same time) covered at least 20 acres - approximate limits SP 873682, 877683 and 875678. Excavations in 1970 at SP 876681 revealed an area of occupation of three phases, all mixed farming or pastoral finishing about the end of the 1st century and represented by ditches, pits, a cobbled floor and a pottery kiln.
The latter was thought to be the work of an itinerant potter rather than an industry, and it was not possible to determine what kind of pottery was poduced. Finds included a bronze brooch (Collingwood type P), a coin of Cunobelin (Mack 248) and pottery from late Belgic ware to pre-Flavian samian. A later area of industrial activity was discovered in 1969 at SP 875678 when Mrs G Brown excavated six potters' kilns and located many more. The industry was carried on for over one hundred years, starting in the mid second century, and storage jars, tegular, floor tiles and mortatia were produced in large quantities. One of the kilns is being preserved by the local authority

{11} Excavation in 1970 discovered Iron Age enclosure, 2 Romano-British pottery kilns, and 3 large limekilns, 6-10ft in diameter. 3 other kilns were also located. All were on the side of the hill facing the stream. Photo of kiln included. This site was part of a settlement complex of 20ha in area.

{Source unknown- transferred from NRHE} In an area centred SP 87566796 (now rapidly being developed) extensive rescue excavations by the MOW are taking place. Mrs Watkins (Dir. Of excavations) states that Belgic - IA and RB material has been discovered (see attached plan) but no coherent pattern is yet to hand and a complete classification of the finds has not yet been made. Similarly occupational phases have not been precisely determined.{21}

Prior to development crop marks of rectangular enclosures have been reported and field walking produced RB coarse ware, samian fragments and fragments of bronze, 4 bronze coins, roofing tiles and roofing slabs.{3} A drying oven (AD 50-150) was also found and excavated in 1968/9 {13}at SP 87626792 (Surveyed on 1:1250 1967). Md material has also been found (See SP 86 NE 12) and Kettering Museum holds a collection of pottery from this area; the excavated material is in the possession of the Wellingborough and District Arch Soc.

<1> Foster P.J.; Harper R.; Watkins S., 1977, An Iron Age and Romano-British Settlement at Hardwick Park, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, p.55-96 (unchecked) (Article). SNN40142.

<2> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1976, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1975, 11/ (Journal). SNN169.

<3> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1967, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1966/67 (Roman), p.20 (unchecked) (Article). SNN58197.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP86NE13 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> 1970, Britannia, 1/288 (Journal). SNN47014.

<6> Wilson D.R., 1971, Roman Britain in 1970, 2/266 (Journal). SNN58458.

<7> 1974, Britannia, 5/262 (Journal). SNN58444.

<8> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1970, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1969 (Prehistoric), 4/5 (Article). SNN28659.

<9> Brown, A E (ed), 1971, Bulletin of the Northamptonshire Federation of Archaeological Societies, 5/27 (Journal). SNN13960.

<10> Brown, A E (ed), 1972, Northamptonshire Archaeology, 7/33 (Journal). SNN25623.

<11> Northampton Museum Topographical Index, Brown G./General File (unchecked) (Index). SNN1470.

<12> Watkins, S, 1970?, Hardwick Park, Wellingborough: Interim report on the 1970 excavation (Interim Report). SNN112437.

<13> BROWN G., 1968, MOPBW ANNUAL EXCAVATION REPORT, /18 (Uncertain). SNN60735.

<13> BROWN G., 1969, Archaeological excavations, 1969, /18 (Report). SNN112438.

<14> Unknown, 1969?, Roman Pottery Works found at Wellingborough (Newspaper cuttings). SNN112436.

<15> BROWN G., 1969, Archaeological excavations, 1969, p. 21 (Report). SNN112438.

<16> Harper, R, 1965, Fieldwalking and Pipeline observation, Brickhill Road, Wellingborough (Note). SNN112520.

<17> Brown, G, 1969, Various interim notes regarding the discoveries at Hardwick Park (Interim Note). SNN112743.

<18> Harcourt, J, 1980-1, Iron Age and Roman Settlement, Wellingborough, Northants (Report). SNN112742.

<19> Unknown, 1968, Harrowden Road Site at December 1968 (Plan). SNN112741.

<20> Brown, G, 1969, Hardwick Road Romano-British pottery site (Interim Note). SNN112744.

<21> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<22> Historic England, Undated, Plan of excavations of the Iron Age and Romano-British occupation areas in Hardwick Road, Wellingborough, AO2253 (Archive). SNN116454.

<23> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey: Portfolios, ORD01/01 (Archive). SNN113224.

Record last edited

Feb 7 2025 2:54PM