Monument record 563 - Middle-late Iron Age and Roman settlement, north of Rothwell

Archaeological investigation undertaken prior to residential development identified a settlement originating in the mid to late Iron Age which was characterised by unenclosed roundhouses as well as a large subcircular enclosure which also contained roundhouses. The settlement remained in use into the late Iron Age/early Roman period, initially in the same location with the creation of larger enclosures, but later shifting northwards before being abandoned by the end of the 2nd century AD.

{1} [Cropmarks not Morphed as part of National Mapping Programme, possibly because of extremely poor controls.]

{4} Geophysical survey shows a number of areas of archaeological potential. The principal area of archaeological interest is in the north-west of the survey area, where a complex of enclosures and round-houses covers an area of between 4 and 5 hectares.

{5} Archaeological trial trench excavation confirmed the results of the geophysical survey identifying late Iron Age occupation which appears to represent a fairly short-lived period of activity from the late 1st century BC into the early 1st century AD, although some evidence of recutting was apparent, implying that at least some of the enclosures were maintained.

Features of this date comprised the partial enclosure to the north, Enclosure 1; the sub-rectangular main enclosure, Enclosure 2; and the boundary ditch and small triangular enclosure and associated surrounding ditches. Within Enclosure 2 was a circular enclosure within which was Ring Ditch 1. The pottery indicates that this area was in use from the 1st century BC into the early 1st century AD. A second isolated ring ditch was present to the south. To the west of these enclosures was a boundary ditch associated with a group of small polygonal enclosures; Enclosure Group 4, and a ring ditch.
To the south and the east of Enclosure 2, a series of ditches probably represent a series of further enclosures, Enclosure Group 5, although these are less well defined on the geophysical survey. Associated with these is a further ring ditch.

{6} In 2006 a sample geophysical survey across parts of a proposed development site north of Rothwell led to the discovery of an extensive settlement complex of presumed Iron Age or Roman date. In 2015 the remaining parts of the development area were surveyed. Trial trench evaluation confirmed the presence of a late Iron Age settlement, dated from the 1st century BC to early 1st century AD, centred on a rectilinear enclosure.

{7} Subsequent excavation took place between 2019 and 2021 ahead of residential development comprising five areas. The main area of excavation identified continuous settlement dating from the middle Iron Age to the Roman period, while other excavation areas to the east indicated settlement within the wider landscape.
Middle to late Iron Age remains were identified in two of the excavation areas comprising four domestic foci which were characterised by a mix of unenclosed roundhouses, small-medium enclosures, a boundary and a trackway. The most distinctive feature was a central sub-circular enclosure set on the crest of a hill which contained evidence for several further roundhouses. The enclosure ditch was the most substantial feature of this period and may have had special significance; human skull fragments found in the enclosure ditch may support this.
Where identified, most of the roundhouses had east-facing entrances and they were defined by steep-sided, possibly structural, gullies. In some instances, postholes marked the entrances. Two possible structures were defined by similar gullies to the roundhouses, although they were rectangular and sub-circular in plan. One of the pits found in this area contained a large number of burnt stones, suggesting a cooking or other function.
The settlement continued into the late Iron Age/early Roman period without hiatus. Many of the earlier enclosures and trackways remained in use and were subsequently expanded and redefined. This was the most extensive phase of activity and features dating to this period were identified in other Areas of excavation to the east [HER 3984/0/1 and 3984/0/2]. Unlike the previous phase, however, there was no evidence for buildings, although the significant finds assemblage certainly indicates domestic activities were taking place. The main focus of activity remained on the creat of the hill. Field sytems were established to the south and south-east. A single N-s aligned, prone inhumation burial was identified but did not contain any grave goods. Further to the south-west was a double inhumation burial, possibly of two young adult males.
The final phase of settlement was represented by a enclosure constructed to the north-west of the previous focus of settlement. The finds assemblage from the ditch fills was predominantly later (2nd century) pottery, absent from other parts of the settlement. This suggests that the main focus of settlement lay to the north beyond the limit of excavation in the later Roman period. The presence of 4th century coins suggests activity continued in the wider vicinity.

<1> Northamptonshire HER Collection of Aerial Photographs, NCCAP:SP8081/003-5 (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<2> Walford, J., 2006, Geophysical survey of land to the north of Rothwell, Northamptonshire, December 2006 (Draft), p.4 (checked) (Report). SNN106587.

<3> Horne B. (Editor), 2007, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (37), p. 71 (Newsletter). SNN106005.

<4> Walford, J., 2015, Archaeological geophysical survey of land north of Rothwell, Northamptonshire October 2015 (Report). SNN110416.

<5> Jarvis, A., 2015, Trial trench evaluation north of Rothwell, Northamptonshire October 2015, P. 7 (Report). SNN110415.

<6> Horne, B (editor), 2016, South Midlands Archaeology (46), p.45 (Journal). SNN111326.

<7> Capardoni, M, Koziminski, M, and Leslie, I, 2022, Land at Rothwell North, Rothwell, Northamptonshire: Post-fieldwork assessment and updated project design for analysis, publication and archiving (Report). SNN117209.

Record last edited

Sep 4 2026 12:59PM