Monument record 6981 - Probable Neolithic Flint Working Site

Fieldwalking survey undertaken as part of the Raunds Area Project identified a significant flint scatter

{1} In common with the larger concentration to the south the proportion of regular debitage is unusually high. The characteristic attributes and forms of the late industries are conspicuous by their absence, and it is likely that most if not all of the group is of wither earlier or later Neolithic date.
Most surprising is the lack of scrapers and the few retouched implements. The composition of the group and the highly localised extent of the gravel islands suggest that this location acted as a source of high quality raw material, serving a wide catchment beyond the flint-rich gravels of the Nene Valley during the earlier and probably also the later Neolithic. There is no cropmark evidence for Neolithic monuments and areas of settlement might reasonably be expected to be marked by greater numbers of tools.

Both concentrations are located close to the Hargrave Brook some 50 and 155m to the south-east. Alluvium associated with the stream does not appear to have masked the scatters, which appear to coincide with the only present day exposures of gravel within the eastern half of the survey area. The gravel forms two islands within the Oxford Clay. The importance of this is that the gravel provides a source of good quality raw material in an area otherwise restricted to Boulder Clay flint. Areas of gravel are also attractive for settlement.
The concentrations comprise almost exclusively regular debitage, though a slight concentration of parent material occurs in the southernmost concentration. Blades and flakes are evenly distributed throughout. There is no distinction in the distribution of scrapers and other tools from the general distribution along the valley side.
Site 52a (North): In common with the larger concentration to the south the proportion of regular debitage is unusually high. The characteristic attributes and forms of the late industries are conspicuous by their absence, and it is likely that most if not all of the group is of wither earlier or later Neolithic date.
Most surprising is the lack of scrapers and the few retouched implements. The composition of the group and the highly localised extent of the gravel islands suggest that this location acted as a source of high quality raw material, serving a wide catchment beyond the flint-rich gravels of the Nene Valley during the earlier and probably also the later Neolithic. There is no cropmark evidence for Neolithic monuments and areas of settlement might reasonably be expected to be marked by greater numbers of tools.

<1> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, p.265-6 (checked) (Book). SNN105780.

Record last edited

Aug 19 2019 2:04PM