Monument record 726/13 - Late Iron Age & Early Romano-British Cemetery, north-east of Bury Mount

Archaeological evaluation has identified a possible late Iron Age/early Roman cemetery possibly bounded by a square enclosure. A significant find was a late 2nd/3rd century Roman curse tablet.

{1} Trial excavation was undertaken in August 1990 by G. Cadman at Towcester Meadow. A ditch of uncertain date was revealed as was a gully and late Iron Age and Roman pottery. Two inhumations were also found; one was situated under a later bank and associated with late Iron Age and Roman pottery. Possible Iron Age activity and extra-mural Roman cemetery.

{3, 5,6} Evaluation by NAU in 1990 located Middle Iron Age features with overlying Roman burials. Only a small area was sampled and their extent is not known. It was also suggested that the site possessed high potential for the recovery of archaeological remains of national importance.

Subsequent evaluation by Cotswold Archaeological Trust in 1992 identified a late Iron Age/early Romano-British cemetery which comprised seven inhumation burials and probable contemporary ditches. A ditch probably formed the north-west boundary to the cemetery. No evidence of contemporary archaeological features beyond it. The ditch had been re-cut and produced late Iron Age material from its upper fill. This included 34 pot sherds, from a single vessel, and a fragment of late Iron Age iron brooch, stylistically datable to probably no later than c.AD 60. There was also a possible boundary ditch to the south-east of th cemetery. Postholes and a possible gravel path were also found. There was evidence for ritual burial practises. Finds included late Iron Age/Roman pottery. A highly significant find was possibly a Roman curse tablet, probably late C2nd/3rd date. These are almost always recovered from temples, shrines and sacred sites such as springs or rivers. This find may indicate a Romano-British temple overlying a late prehistoric ritual enclosure, as found elsewhere in southern Britain. The cemetery is interpreted as lying within a square enclosure tentatively identified as a Vierechshanzen.

{9} The presence of the ditched cemetery, an unusual feature on a pre-Roman site in this region, attest the probable high status of this Late Iron Age settlement. The extent and nature of occupation and any associated activities, however, remain poorly understood.

<1> CADMAN G.E., 1990, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN50209.

<2> Pike A. (Editor), 1991, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter, 14/73 (checked) (Newsletter). SNN2091.

<3> Walker G., 1992, Towcester Retail Development, Northamptonshire: Report on The Results of An Archaeological Evaluation, p.11-20 (checked) (Report). SNN70243.

<4> Walker G., 1993, Towcester Retail Development: Interim Report on the Results of an Archaeological Evaluation, pp.5-7 (checked) (Interim Report). SNN60080.

<5> COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST, 1992, Towcester Retail Development, Northamptonshire, Stage 1: Archaeological Assessment, (checked) (Draft). SNN70046.

<6> 1992, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN48975.

<7> WACHER J.S., 1993, Town Centre Redevelopment, Towcester, Northamptonshire: An Archaeological Assessment, (checked) (Report). SNN70047.

<8> Tomlin, RSO, 1993, Roman inscribed fragments of lead from Towcester (Note). SNN110881.

<9> COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST, 1993, Towcester Retail Development: Archaeological Evaluation Appendices 1 to 8, (checked) (Appendix). SNN60079.

<10> Kidd S., 1993, Towcester Retail Development, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Planning Assessment, p.9 (checked) (Report). SNN40438.

<11> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 1990s, Monument Class Descriptions, p.1-11 (unchecked) (Series). SNN47591.

<12> Taylor J.; Foard G.; Laughton J.; Steadman S.; Ballinger J., 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Towcester, Section 2.1 (checked) (Report). SNN103132.

Record last edited

Sep 3 2021 10:49AM