Monument record 6978 - Possible Iron Age & Early Roman Settlement

An extensive complex of contiguous rectilinear ditched enclosures of probable Iron Age or Roman date is visible on aerial photographs. Located in a field immediately west of Napleton Lodge Farm, the cropmarks extend over an area about 438 metres N-S and 133 metres W-E and comprise rectilinear enclosures or linear ditches of various sizes, aligned N-S and W-E, within which are two and possibly three ring ditches, which may be drip gullies for round houses.

{1} Cropmarks extending over 3 ha; comprise large rectangular enclosure measuring 103m x 70m; subdivided into four parts and crossed by a small rectangular enclosure; a series of superimposed ring ditches may represent remains of three separate house circles; regularity of plan and element of superimposition suggests successive construction.

{2} An Iron Age origin is implied by a small scatter of pottery. The settlement appears to have been abandoned by the mid Roman period, since there is a virtual absence of pottery around the cropmarks.

{3, 4} An extensive complex of contiguous rectilinear ditched enclosures of probable Iron Age or Roman date is visible on aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. Located in a field immediately west of Napleton Lodge Farm and centred at TL 01700 73647, the cropmarks extend over an area about 438 metres N-S and 133 metres W-E and comprise rectilinear enclosures or linear ditches of various sizes, aligned N-S and W-E. At TL 01674 73709 are two and possibly three ring ditches, which may be drip gullies for round houses, located within a large rectilinear ditched enclosure some 65.5 x 63 metres, which is internally subdivided to create smaller rectilinear enclosures.

<1> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.288 (checked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<2> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, p.254 (checked) (Book). SNN105780.

<3> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC 3042/36 01-JAN-1986 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<4> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC 3042/38 01-JAN-1986 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<5> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP, Aerial Survey Record. Material held by Aerial Survey (Archive). SNN113023.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 6:20PM