Monument record 1799/1 - Probable Iron Age/Romano-British Farm, Rowleys Field

A linear complex of rectilinear ditched enclosures of probable Iron Age or Roman date is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. Located over two fields about 586 metres SW of Hargrave Lodge Farm, the cropmarks extend over an area about 480 metres SW-NE and 332 metres NW-SE. A rectilinear enclosure of unknown date is partially vsible as a cropmark on aerial photographs and is located to the east of Stanwick Pastures. It may be associated or contemporaneous with the Iron Age to Roman enclosures recorded to the east. Fieldwalking survey has identified mainly early and middle Roman pottery

{1} Possible Iron Age/Roman farm shifting along line of ridge; overall degree of symmetry and ordering of layout suggests single constructional phase or successive development of site. A single ditch line forms the central axis with other boundaries and enclosures dividing off from this. There is a possible roundhouse within the northernmost enclosure and other tiny enclosures may represent areas for animal husbandry or horticulture. The relationship between the cropmarks and surface scatters is difficult to interpret as they do not always coincide eg. dearth of pottery around enclosure containing roundhouse.

{2} Fieldwalking survey carried out as part of the Raunds Area Project. Few Iron Age sherds were recovered. A concentration of early and middle Roman pottery occurs in and around the south-western part of the linear system, with a thinner spread of pottery up slope which could indicate an area of intensive manuring. The distribution of pottery suggests a shift of activity towards the south-west.

{3} A rectilinear enclosure of unknown date is partially visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. The enclosure is located to the east of Stanwick Pastures at TL 00982 69984. It may be associated or contemporaneous with the Iron Age to Roman enclosures recorded to the east Monument Number 1625615.

{6-8} A linear complex of rectilinear ditched enclosures of probable Iron Age or Roman date is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. Located over two fields about 586 metres SW of Hargrave Lodge Farm and centred at TL 01281 70203, the cropmarks extend over an area about 480 metres SW-NE and 332 metres NW-SE. The cropmarks comprise an up to 6.5 metres wide curvilinear ditch extends SW-NE about 411 metres, attached to and extending NW and SE from which are other ditched enclosures.

Starting at the NE end of the settlement, a rectilinear ditch up to 4 metres wide is centred at TL 01343 70255 and extends SE from the linear ditch, enclosing an area about 50 x 57 metres.

About 66 metres to the SW and centred at TL 01301 70209 a rectilinear ditch up to 4 metres wide extends SE from the linear ditch, enclosing an area about 43 x 62 metres. In the NE corner is an internal rectilinear ditched division about 12 x 16 metres.

Some 125 metres SE of this and centred at TL 01399 70153, not attached to the linear ditch is a five sided irregularly shaped ditch up to 3 metres wide that encloses an area about 103 x 103 metres at its widest points. From the NW facing side, a small internal rectilinear enclosure about 16 x 9 metres extends SE.

At the SW end of the linear ditch and extending NW of it, centred at TL 01126 70061, is a three-sided rectilinear ditch up to 5 metres wide that encloses an area about 63 x 78 metres, with the SW facing side open and a parallel linear ditch on the NE facing side suggesting possible further enclosures. Other ditch fragments suggest further curvilinear enclosures and a possible ring ditch or round house drip gully.

<1> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.273-77 (checked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<2> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, p. 249-250 (Book). SNN105780.

<3> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC 2535/9 31-JUL-1984 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<4> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP, MD003015 (Archive). SNN113023.

<5> 1982, Aerial Photography in Northamptonshire 1981, p. 107 (Journal). SNN104561.

<6> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC 2276/37 21-JUL-1983 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<7> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC 3056/17 23-JUL-1986 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<8> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NHC SF 1993/1 11-AUG-1987 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:03PM