Monument record 5360 - Roman settlement, Fineshade

A Roman site was discovered during excavations at Fineshade Priory in 1988. Roofing tiles, a pit and considerable building material indicated a substantial building. Further investigations in 1992 located evidence of iron-working. A lime kiln was found in 2007.

{1} Evaluation in 1987 identified an occupation layer of broken Roman roofing tile, small water worn pebbles, limestone fragments and occasional pieces of iron slag. 3 Iron Age sherds, Roman roof tiles and sherds were found nearby. Roman ditches were recovered, containing tile, bricks, rubble building stone, potsherds, animal bones, charcoal and occasional pieces of iron slag.

{2}An unsuspected Roman site was identified to the west of the stables where large quantities of roofing tiles, building stone, and plaster suggest the proximity of a major building.

{3} Section through castle rampart. Buried soil under rampart. Core of rampart comprises very clean (freshly quarried from immediately north?) Blisworth limestone rubble overlain by more disturbed horizons containing Roman pottery. Interpreted as possibly being of Iron Age origin with later reuse? Photos. Trench infilled at time of visit but reported to have revealed part of a putative Roman building. Small amounts of Roman and Iron Age pottery found.

{4} The evidence from investigation in the 1980s included several walls, large amounts of roofing tile, building stone, rubble, plaster, decayed mortar and a possible well. Painted wall plaster was also discovered. At least four ditches were found, one of which was 6m wide. Occupation evidence appears to have been concentrated in the central part of the area bounded by the castle bank.

In 2007, a trench was excavated through the castle bank. At 0.60m below the existing turf was a curving wall which proved to be the inner edge of a lime kiln. The kiln was circular, stone-built structure about 3m wide and 2m deep internally with a splayed entrance to the east, the floor of which extended at least 6m beyond the firing chamber pot. A sample of charcoal was collected from between well stratified lime deposits, representing one or two firings, radiocarbon dating of which provided a likely terminus post quem of AD125-225. Only the base pot or firing chamber of the kiln has survived, the form suggesting a 'flare' kiln where the load of limestone was supported either on a wooden framework or by corbelling the load of limestone on a ledge above the pot.
Since the Roman lime kiln had been built into an already existing structure, the site is thought to have started life as a late Bronze Age or early Iron ring work.

In Trench 3, all finds below 0.35m were of Roman origin and the trench was backfilled with minimal investigation. However, there was a possible pitched stone wall foundation, as well as stone surfaces and postholes.

{4} At least four ditches were found, one of which was 6m wide.

{6} Roman ditches were recovered, containing tile, bricks, rubble building stone, potsherds, animal bones, charcoal and occasional pieces of iron slag.

{7} Further trial trenching in 1988 identified the vestiges of possible Roman features along with pottery, iron slag and roof tile.

Northamptonshire Archaeology Unit, 1988, Archaeological Evaluation at Fineshade Abbey, Northants. (Report). SNN77397.

<1> JOHNSON J., 1987, Draft Excavation Report, (unchecked) (Interim Report). SNN46791.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 1988, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (18), p. 60-61 (Newsletter). SNN46846.

<3> Cadman, G., 2007, Fineshade Priory and Castle, (checked) (Note). SNN107160.

<4> Johnston, G and Bellamy, B., 2015, From Hillfort to Mansion: Excavations at Fineshade Abbey, p. 186-191 (Report). SNN110575.

<5> Frere, S S, Hassall, M W C, and Tomlin, R S O, 1988, Roman Britain in 1987, p. 452 (Note). SNN113030.

<6> Frere, S S, Hassall, M W C, and Tomlin, R S O, 1989, Roman Britain in 1988, p. 290 (Note). SNN113029.

<7> Pike, A (ed), 1989, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (19), p. 25 (Journal). SNN100659.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:46PM