Monument record 4344 - Possible Romano-British Settlement

Cropmarks of possible Roman enclosures identified on aerial photographs. Roman pottery has also been found in the same location. Geophysical survey of the south-western part of the area identified a much more complex area of settlement than that seen as cropmarks. Summary from record 4344/0/0: Roman pottery found during fieldwalking survey.

{1} Roman Settlement (SP 723788), S.W. of the village, on Boulder Clay and Upper Lias Clay between 135 m. and 145 m. above OD. Air photographs (in NMR) show, rather indistinctly, a large area of cropmarks covering some 8 hectares. They include overlapping and conjoined rectanglar enclosures, with other linear features intersecting them. Roman pottery has been found on the N. edge of the site (SP 720803) and to the W. (SP 722788).

{2} Geophysical survey identified a complex series of overlapping enclosures and boundary ditches suggestive of an area of settlement. The complex layout of the features may indicate development of the site over a long period. Several rectilinear positive anomalies extend towards the south west away from the core area of activity. The magnitude of the anomalies tends to drop off to below 2nT suggesting the anomalies are related to agricultural enclosures rather than settlement.

{3} Archaeological excavation of Turbine base 5 did not initially reveal any substantial archaeological features. Subsequently, a further area was excavated which revealed a complex series of archaeological features. Once exposed it was decided to preserve the archaeological features in situ and the area was backfilled.

{4} SP722788, scatter of Roman pottery.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.111 site 9 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77381.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.111 Site 9 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<3> Garcia Rovira, Dr I, 2017, Kelmarsh Wind Farm, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Assessment (Report). SNN115181.

<4> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1977, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1976, p.212 (checked) (Report). SNN723.

<5> Sabin, D & Donaldson, K, 2009, Kelmarsh Hall Wind Farm, Northamptonshire: Magnetometer Survey Report (Report). SNN115182.

Record last edited

Feb 7 2025 2:58PM