Monument record 1977 - Probable prehistoric/Roman settlement, south of Wilby Road

A number of cropmarks and finds have been noted over an area of some 17 hectares. Roman material in particular, including Samian and grey wares, is widely scattered over several fields. Geophysical survey has confirmed an area of dense settlement, although it appears to be separated into several discrete zones which may reflect different periods or types of settlement activity.

{5} Air photographs taken from 1961 show a number of cropmarks;

[see individual records for further details]

{6} SP 849663, Air photographs (in NMR) show a semi-circular enclosure 40 m. in diam. A scraper has been found in the area. To the S in the next field, is a small rectangular enclosure with two pits near its S side and another, more irregular enclosure attached to its N
side.

{8} Geophysical survey detected several large areas of settlement activity which are centred around a large complex of settlement features covering an area of c111m by 134m. The most complex area of settlement [not represented as clearly by cropmark evidence] is situated at the western side and contains multiple rectangular and sub-rectangular enclosures with internal features and smaller appended enclosures, which connect to other clusters of settlement features to the north-west, north-east and south/south-east via a network of appended linear and curvilinear ditches. A further larger complex of settlement features located directly to the east primarily comprises several overlapping sub-rectangular enclosures and linear ditch alignments, some of which continue to the north forming a further enclosure with internal subdivisions. The large double-ditched rectilinear enclosure is situated within this group of features.
To the north, another group of features appear to form a large, fragmented enclosure with fragmentary sub-divisions, as well as a trackway.

<1> Moore W.R.G., 1968, Roman Settlement in the Upper and Middle Nene Valley, p. 63 (Uncertain). SNN15188.

<2> Northampton Museum Topographical Index (Index). SNN1470.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP86NW3 (Index). SNN443.

<4> CALLIS W.G., 1981, Mears Ashby: From Ice Age to Space Age, 1981, (unchecked) (Report). SNN109952.

<5> HOLLOWELL R., 1971, Aerial Photography and Fieldwork in the Upper Nene Valley, p. 15 (Journal). SNN106546.

<6> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 108/site 6 (Series). SNN77380.

<7> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1975, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1974, P. 51 (Report). SNN41605.

<8> Brunning, E, 2024, Green Hill Solar Project, Sites C, D and E, Northamptonshire: Geophysical Survey (Interim report), p. 12 (Report). SNN116667.

Record last edited

Feb 24 2025 10:55AM