Monument record 6778 - Probable Romano-British/Possible Early Middle Saxon Settlement

Cropmarks of rectilinear and irregular-shaped enclosures identified on aerial photographs during the Northants NMP. Fieldwalking undertaken as part of the Raunds Area Project identified a scatter of Roman pottery associated with the enclosures.

{1} Possible small Roman agricultural settlement noted from fieldwalking and cropmarks; pottery concentration located away from cropmark enclosures suggests that they may have been used for pasture for livestock.

{2} Previously unknown Roman activity was discovered in a field immediately to the west of Stanwick Pastures. Recognised from cropmark and fieldwalking evidence, this activity probably represents a small agricultural settlement and is notable for the coincidence of a small quantity of early middle Saxon pottery with the Roman site.
The settlement occupies a commanding position on a spur of ground above the 80m contour line, with extensive views apart from to the east.
Two groups of cropmarks have been recorded in the same field. To the north, a rectangular enclosure, some 58m x 45m is defined by a broad ditch. Its main axis appears to have been aligned parallel with the slope. Incomplete lengths of ditch to the south suggest the presence of a second enclosure measuring 75m x 32m. Approximately 160m to the south-west further cropmarks of a larger rectangular enclosure 80m x 30m have been identified. A smaller annexe is suggested to the south-east. The enclosure also appears to have been aligned parallel to the slope but in this case to the west side of the spur rather than the north.
The finds assemblage shows a linear concentration of pottery, together with limestone scatters, associated with low earthwork platforms and dark soil, suggesting that the main focus for settlement lay to the west of the two groups of cropmarks. A slight concentration of early Roman pottery within the northern enclosures may be contemporary, but by the late Roman period the focus was entirely in the west and the enclosures were marked by a total absence of sherds, suggesting that if contemporary, they may have been used for livestock.
The main concentration is about 195m long and up to 75m wide, suggesting that settlement was arranged across the neck of the spur. The full range of Roman pottery was collected, possibly denoting that the origins of the settlement lay in the late C1st, although perhaps with a greater emphasis in the mid-Roman period. Continuation into the late Roman period is attested by the presence of colour-coated wares and 13 C4th coins, the latest issued by Gratian (AD 375-8).
A scatter of 10 early middle Saxon pottery sherds was found on the edge of the promontory, coinciding with the northern part of the Roman settlement, and further sherds were dispersed on the higher ground to the south-east. Interpretation is difficult, for although the sherds could denote settlement the low quantities may merely indicate activities like stone-robbing or agriculture.

<1> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.194-97 (checked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<2> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, p.219-221 (checked) (Book). SNN105780.

<3> Northamptonshire County Council, 1994, The Northamptonshire National Mapping Programme, TL0070_003 (Digital archive). SNN117168.

Record last edited

Aug 3 2026 12:35PM