Monument record 1871 - Middle Iron Age settlement, north-east of Castle Manor Farm

Settlement shown on air photographs consisting of enclosures ring ditches and hut sites shown as cropmarks. Geophysical survey and trial trench excavation has confirmed the cropmark evidence and dated the settlement to the middle Iron Age. A further possible enclosure with internal features has been identified to the south-west.

{2}Aerial photography 1982, complex detected

{3}Aerial photography 1981, complex detected

{4} Cropmarks of over 4 enclosures, 2 parallel ditches and a possible field system seen in 1981 on aerial photos NCCAP:TL0278/22-25

{5} Air photos show a complicated settlement including four circular features; the larger two may be ring ditches and the smaller ones hut sites. Aerial photos NCCAP:TL0278/1-10

{6} Geophysical survey identified a complex of three or four enclosures connected by a probable boundary ditch corresponding to the cropmarks.

{7} The field containing these marks is at present under a fairly substantial growth of winter wheat and perambulation not possible.

{8} (TL 022782) Crop marks of enclosures.

{11} Archaeological trial trench excavation was undertaken in 2021 confirming that the settlement identified as cropmarks and by geophysical survey dated to the middle Iron Age.
A number of ditches were identified which formed part of three or four main enclosures with associated sub-divisions and ring ditches/sub-enclosures. The main of focus of settlement appeared to be in the northern part of the complex, where at least six small enclosures/ring ditches were identified by the preceding geophysical survey. Three were investigated; a posthole was found in one, but otherwise there were few internal features. There was a large rectilinear enclosure around these features. To the south, the features were more dispersed, chracterised by smaller enclosures and only two or three possible ring ditches/small enclosures.

<1> Rees G., 2008, Enclosure Boundaries and Settlement Individuality in The Iron Age, (unchecked) (Article). SNN106040.

<2> Foard G.; Richardson D., 1983, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1982 (Aerial Photography), p181 Thrapston (unchecked) (Notes). SNN100412.

<3> 1982, Aerial Photography in Northamptonshire 1981, p107 Thrapston (unchecked) (Journal). SNN104561.

<4> FOARD G.R., ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN50814.

<5> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.96/Site 1 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<6> Legg, R and Peel, S, 2021, Geophysical Survey Report: Land east of Thrapston, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112567.

<7> Seaman, B H, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 BHS 19-FEB-70 (Notes). SNN111541.

<8> Aerial Photograph, AP (R Hollowell) (Photographs). SNN112974.

<9> HOLLOWELL R., 1971, Aerial Photography and Fieldwork in the Upper Nene Valley, p.17 (Journal). SNN106546.

<10> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), AF0615981 (Archive). SNN112900.

<11> Sinclair, K, 2022, Land east of Halden's Parkway, Thrapston: Archaeological Evaluation Report, February 2022 (Report). SNN114805.

<12> Crank, N. (Editor), 2022, South Midlands Archaeology (52), p. 71 (Journal). SNN115177.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 3:17PM