Monument record 2035 - Late Iron Age/Romano-British settlement, south of Main Road

Cropmarks of ditches were identified on aerial photographs in 1979. Geophysical survey and trial trench excavation identified a large rectangular enclosure bounded by smaller enclosures to the north. The paucity of finds suggests the enclosures may have had agricultural functions. Subsequent investigation to the east, in the sportsfield area, identified further evidence of the settlement, possibly further small stock enclosures.

{1} (SP848645) Ditches on AP in 1978.

{2} The survey has identified a series of adjoining enclosures that extends across both fields. The enclosures form a rectilinear pattern indicative of Iron Age and/or Roman settlement, although some curvilinear ditches are also present. The main enclosure ditches appear quite substantial being up to 6-8m in places, with strongly enhanced magnetic signals. Within the larger enclosures a series of subdivisions or subenclosures are apparent. The areas within these enclosures are magnetically ‘noisy’, and it is likely that areas of pitting are present. Some curvilinear anomalies may represent eaves-drip gullies from round houses.

{3} The trial trench excavation confirmed the presence of a late Iron Age/Romano-British settlement that extended over c. 2.2ha. The possible core of the Romano-British settlement appears to have been bounded by a large ditch defining a rectangular enclosure. Evidence for activity within the main enclosure was limited to a single pit.

Smaller enclosures identified as geophysical anomalies were identified to the north and were investigated within Trenches 4, 5 and 6. Internal divisions were noted, although an absence of artefacts indicates that at least one of the enclosures was not directly related to the settlement’s domestic core. Some of the gullies identified had near vertical sides and flat bases and may have had a structural function. A grid-like pattern of closely spaced linear geophysical anomalies was identified within the southern part of the main rectangular ditched enclosure. Taking the geophysical anomalies into account they appear to form a series of square or rectangular ‘compartments’ that were approximately 7m wide and at least 10m long. Similar features at Cambourne New Settlement, Cambridgeshire were interpreted as small stock enclosures, although perhaps a horticultural function is more likely.

{4} Geophysical survey undertaken in 2021 on the site of proposed sportfields and pavilions indicated that the Iron Age and Roman settlement identified in 2014 covers a larger area than anticipated. The survey identified anomalies consistent with overlapping enclosures in the north-west part of the survey area. Possible field boundaries and ridge and furrow were also identified.

{5, 6} Susbequent trial trench excavation in the proposed sportsfield area was split into two phases. The first phase identified three small enclosure ditches considered likely to be associated with the late Iron Age/Roman settlement. The second phase identified three ditches and two pits. Only one of the features produced any artefacts dated to the late Roman period, all are considered likely to broadly date to the late Iron Age/Roman period. The ditches have been interpreted as parts of possible stock enclosures peripheral to the main area of settlement. One of the pits contained evidence of in situ burning, including charred seeds and fragments of animal bone, suggestive of a fire pit for cooking or processing of foodstuffs.

<1> Brown AE, 1980, Aerial Photography 1980, p. 177 (Notes). SNN104579.

<2> Ladocha J.; Fisher I., 2013, Archaeological Geophysical Survey on land south of Main Road, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN109879.

<3> Barker, J and Luke, M., 2014, Land to the South of Main Road, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Field Evaluation (Report). SNN110611.

<4> Magnitude Surveys, 2021, Geophysical survey report to complete non-intrusive evaluation for: Earls Barton Sports Association Ltd, Northampton Road, Earls Barton, Northampton (Report). SNN117204.

<5> Catie Watts, 2023, The Grange Sportsfield, Northampton Road, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Trial Trenching (Report). SNN117203.

<6> Palombelli, M, 2024, The Grange Sportsfield, Northampton Road, Earls Barton, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Trial Trenching- Phase 2 (Report). SNN117202.

Record last edited

Sep 2 2026 8:48AM