Monument record 8262 - Iron Age Settlement, Station Road

A defended Iron Age settlement was first noted as faint cropmarks on air photos, which revealed a sub-rectangular enclosure, smaller circular and rectangular enclosures, and linear features and pits. Between 1991 and 1995 archaeological surveys and trial excavations were carried out over some of the main archaeological features. The evidence revealed the rectangular enclosure to be defended Iron Age farmstead with at least two phases of activity. The Iron Age settlement may be associated with the Iron Age settlement evidence recorded east of Station Road.

{1} (SP 958697) Faint cropmarks of sub-rectangular enclosure on AP R Hollowell, August 1969.

{2} An arable hillside field at present under grass. There are no surface indications as to the nature of these marks which on the photographs seem insignificant.

{4} A series of trial trenches were excavated at the north end of the field in order to investigate the cropmark features in that area. Rectangular enclosures, ring ditches, pits and long linear boundaries were identified. One of the enclosures (Enclosure 2) would appear to be a type of small, wide-ditched, rectangular enclosure of late Iron Age of a type increasingly being recognised in Northamptonshire [Wootton Hill style enclosure].

{6} In 1995 enclosure 2 was further investigated as part of a wider project ahead of housing development. The chronology of the recovered pottery assemblage was insufficient to determine phasing, although some stratigraphic relationships were recorded. The earliest phase was a probable rectangular enclosure and a hut circle. A small quantity of 2nd-century BC pottery was recovered from a linear ditch c4m to the north. Subsequently enclosure 2 was constructed. It was c 45m wide and 70m long; the north-eastern side and a short length of the southern side were investigated. An early V-shaped ditch of modest proportions was replaced by a much more substantial ditch of a similar profile. There was no evidence of a bank. A possible inturned entrance ditch at the north was also identified. A pennanular ditch in the interior was 11.4m in diameter, which was later recut. Both ditches were excessive for a simple drainage function and may have originally been enclosures in their own right. A further, much shallower, pennanular gully was located inside within which were a number of postholes and small pits.

{7} When over 3500 m2 of the Iron Age site was stripped a multi-phased rectangular ditched enclosure was revealed. It is of a type common to middle Iron Age settlements in central England. A large number of pits and at least two circular structures were found. One of the buildings was trench built and surrounded by its own circular enclosure ditch. The latter part was of much larger proportions than the usual penannular drainage ditch. Structures of this type are relatively rare and preliminary assessment suggests that it may have pre-dated the main enclosure.

{6, 8, 9) The sub-rectangular enclosure and other cropmarks described above were visible on aerial photographs and were mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. The cropmarks comprise linear ditches, circular and rectangular enclosures all located east of King’s Meadow Lane and west of Station Road (centred at SP 95863 69571). Between 1991 and 1995 archaeological surveys and trial excavations were carried out over some of the main archaeological features. The evidence revealed the rectangular enclosure to be defended Iron Age farmstead with at least two phases of activity. Limited excavation suggests that the other smaller enclosures and linear ditches to the northeast and possibly southwest of the enclosure are likely contemporaneous. The Iron Age settlement may be associated with the Iron Age settlement evidence recorded east of Station Road. A modern gas pipeline cuts across the site.

{10} Ring ditch and enclosure on AP in 1978.

{11} The ring ditch and enclosure described above (Source {10}) is likely the features recorded in [NRHE] Monument Number 347038 and centred at SP 95869 69640. The settlement features were mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project from aerial photographs. Later excavations dated the settlement features to the Iron Age.

<1> Northampton Museum 6 Inch Map (Map). SNN10162.

<2> Seaman, B H, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments (Notes). SNN111541.

<3> Rees G., 2008, Enclosure Boundaries and Settlement Individuality in The Iron Age, (unchecked) (Article). SNN106040.

<4> Shaw M.; Steadman S., 1991, Archaeological Evaluation on Duchy of Lancaster Land at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN1366.

<5> Shaw M.; Steadman S., 1991, Archaeological Evaluation on Duchy of Lancaster Land at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire: Figures (Report). SNN105536.

<6> Lawrence , S & Smith, A, 2009, Between Villa and Town: Excavations of a Roman roadside settlement and shrine at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire (Monograph). SNN111386.

<7> Horne, B (editor), 1996, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (26), p. 43 (Notes). SNN40064.

<8> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC 5450/9 21-AUG-1978 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<9> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC 11919/5 23-MAY-1990 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<10> COWLEY D.E.; FOARD G.R., 1979, Aerial Archaeology in Northamptonshire, p. 97 (Article). SNN60721.

<11> 2018-2019, RCHME/EH/HE Aerial Photographers comment, Bedford Borough NMP project, Amanda Adams 21-JAN-2019 Bedford Borough NMP (Note). SNN111578.

<12> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP, MD003015 (Archive). SNN113023.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:51PM