Monument record 5235 - Iron Age Settlement

Archaeological watching brief undertaken during the excavation of a silt pond identified an Iron Age settlement, although recording was limited due to time constraints. At least five small enclosures were identified as well as at least two roundhouse gullies. There was also a possible trackway and an undated platform, perhaps used as a landing stage or for fishing.

{1} The plan and numerous recut ditches, as well as the pottery, suggest that Iron Age activity in the silt pond area was not shortlived, but the paucity of occupational debris may imply that only a small group of inhabitants (perhaps a single family) lived on the site, or it was intermittantly used. The ditched enclosures in use were small and it could be the economy was at least partly dependent on the river.

A complex of Iron Age enclosure or drainage ditches was exposed. The deepest ditch (1.4m where recorded) had been re-cut many times, and ran right across the area of the silt pond. It was roughly parallel with the river and approximately marked the line of the extent of the alluvial clay. This ditch or ditches was part of a complex that included at least five small enclosures, although they were clearly not all contemporary. Little excavation was possible but the mainly steep sided ditches and their numerous re-cuts were probably chiefly intended for drainage. There was no waterlogged material in the ditches. One, or possibly two, hut circles were also seen. Hut 1 was defined by a gully enclosing an area 11m in diameter and had an entrance to the east.

A platform of limestone and gravel near to the line of an old watercourse. The limestone, gravel and silt were filling a number of shallow pits or hollows dug into the natural gravel and the whole extended over an area some 10m long and 3m wide.
A squared post was found in situ at the south east corner and a large stake also survived on the north side. The latter supported wattlework or withies. The pieces of brushwood or withies often lay in pairs and this suggests they might have been ties and not part of a wattlework lining. The stakes and withies may have supported something moveable or impermanent.
The situation of the feature near an old watercourse suggests that it might have been associated with water transport or an activity such as fishing.

<1> Jackson, D., 1984, A Watching Brief During the Construction of a Silt Pond at Stanwick, Northants, (checked) (Report). SNN112535.

<2> Dix B.(ed), 1985, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1983-4, 20/148 (Checked) (Report). SNN100404.

<3> Jackson, D., 1984, A Watching Brief During the Construction of a Silt Pond at Stanwick, Northants, (checked) (Notes). SNN37323.

Record last edited

Jun 23 2021 3:23PM