Monument record 2010 - Possible Prehistoric Settlement/Flint Working Site, Overstone

Linear cropmarks and two ring ditches observed on aerial photographs. Fieldwalking of the area recovered a dense concentration of worked flint, much of it Bronze Age. Geophysical survey has identified a sub-rectangular enclosure. Subsequent trial trench excavation identified the northern enclosure ditch, which was undated.

{1} A site at Overstone was first studied in a field revealing linear cropmarks and two ring ditches. In one area consisting of about an acre there was a remarkable concentration of flint tools, worked flakes and pieces of core etc. Illustration of the more interesting pieces Fig 3. It was remarkable in that as soon as the main area was left the number of flints discoverable fell to near zero.

{2} Vague cropmarks of at least one ring ditch or oval enclosure with a number of short lengths of linear ditch near by. Within the area of cropmarks a large quantity of flint tools has been found, including scrapers, blades and cores.

{3} Vague cropmarks. At least one ring ditch or oval enclosure with a length of ditch to the west.

{5} Cropmarks recorded in 1964 by R.Hollowell. Vague cropmarks suggest at least one possible ring ditch or oval enclosure with a length of ditch to the west. Fieldname: Cow Pasture Spinney North.

{7} Geophysical survey identified a large sub-rectagular ditched enclosure with rounded corners. It measures c85m across and over 130m long, its full length being unknown as its north-eastern end has not been resolved by the survey. At least two, possibly three, entrances, few internal features including a small ring ditch in the southern corner.

{8} Archaeological trial trench excavation was undertaken in 2018. Five trenches were targeted on the enclosure, but archaeological features were only identified in two- possibly relating to the northern arm of the enclosure. No finds were recovered.

{10} Site under corn; no visible remains

<1> Martin P.W.; Hall D.N., 1975, Prehistoric Notes: Worked Flints From Central Northamptonshire, 5/10-11 (checked) (Journal). SNN25046.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.120 Site 1 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<3> HOLLOWELL R., 1971, Aerial Photography and Fieldwork in the Upper Nene Valley, 6/16 Site 1 (checked) (Journal). SNN106546.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP86NW22 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Northampton Museum Topographical Index, (unchecked) (Index). SNN1470.

<6> Hall D.N., 1960-2000, David Halls Field Survey Maps, SP86NW (Map). SNN107049.

<7> Walford, J, 2017, Archaeological geophysical survey at Overstone Green, Northamptonshire, August to October 2017 (Report). SNN111109.

<8> Champness, C, 2018, Overstone Green, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation Report (Report). SNN112171.

<9> Oxford Archaeology (South), 2024, Data from an Archaeological Evaluation at Overstone Green, Northamptonshire, 2018-2019, https://doi.org/10.5284/1117726 (Digital archive). SNN116196.

<10> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, 18-JUN-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 3:18PM