Monument record 5948 - Iron Age Ladder settlement, near Glassthorpe

Cropmarks of a rectilinear enclosure identified from aerial photographs. Geophysical survey has shown that the enclosure is part of a more complex settlement comprising sub-rectangular enclosures and probable roundhouse ring ditches aligned north-east to south-west. Later archaeological evaluation confirmed the geophysical survey results by finding evidence of settlement activity.

{2} Geophysical survey undertaken in 2021 identified a number of sub-rectangular enclosures with internal sub-divisions, annular and penannular enclosures and pits aligned north-east to south-west. The morphology of these features is different to the regular enclosures to the east which have been dated to the Roman period. It is probable that this phase dates to the Iron Age.

{3} Following on from the geophysical survey, a trial trench evaluation was undertaken in 2022. This evaluation found evidence of settlement activity that was identified in the geophysical survey. The western side of the settlement consisted of one long boundary ditch, along which a number of discrete enclosures were built that formed a ladder settlement. Pottery from some of the enclosures confirmed an Iron Age date for the settlement, likely Middle to Late Iron Age. 11 enclosures were excavated along the boundary ditch, all on its southern side. Little evidence of settlement or domestic activity was found in the enclosures at the south-western end of the boundary ditch. Evidence of structures was recorded in the form of curvilinear gullies and postholes. One enclosure found in Trench 31 appeared to have been re-established a number of times, with a series of intercutting boundary ditches. A similar sequence of ditches was evident in trench 18. Fuel ash slag found suggests that this enclosure did have a domestic function. It is possible that the enclosure was linked to a settlement just to the north,in Field 5. A potential roundhouse gully was excavated in Trench 100. The pottery indicates an Iron Age date for this settlement. The square enclosure found in Field 3 is less than 100m to the south, and it is likely they formed part of the same settlement. The northern part of the settlement is unenclosed, and it is possible that the square enclosure had a function other than domestic.Another small Iron Age enclosure was excavated at the northern edge of Field 5 and into Field 6. This was a small, circular enclosure, approximately 40m in diameter. The nature of activity within this enclosure is unknown, with only a few small sherds of pottery being recovered.

<1> Northamptonshire HER Collection of Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<2> Wilkinson,D, and Langston, A,, 2021, Geophysical Survey Report of Glassthorpe Solar Farm (Report). SNN113546.

<3> Sian Thomas, 2023, Archaeological field evaluation: Flore, Glassthorpe (Northamptonshire) (Report). SNN116965.

Record last edited

Jan 23 2026 12:20PM