Monument record 1847/1 - Romano-British activity including a possible cemetery, Chancery Lane

A number of inhumations and ditches were discovered during building development in Manor Close. Roman pottery was also found. Subsequent archaeological investigation in 2012-4 identified a ditch dated to the 2nd century AD. Much of the surrounding area had been heavily truncated

{2} Features revealed by building development in 1966, in Manor Close, Thrapston. At least six skeletons were cut by a drain trench, some of which were buried in charcoal. The burials were not east-west orientated. There were a number of ditches noted in the same area and also late Romano-British pot sherds were evident.

{4} The burials were undated but RCHME suggest that they were Romano-British. SP99657877.

{?} See also PRN 2772. Plan. Information reported by Mr.Prior.

{6} Trial trench excavation at the former Manor House identified a narrow gully aligned east to west with a maximum width of 0.3m and a max depth of 0.12m. It contained no dateable finds. The gully cut across a small north-south ditch measuring 1m wide and 0.35m deep. It had a wide flat base and shallow sides, and contained no finds.
To the north of the gully, extending out from the northern baulk to a max. width of 0.6m, was a 3.5m long feature of indeterminate shape which could have been a shallow pit. It was 0.26m deep and flat bottomed, and contained a single sherd of shelly ware and two sherds of greyware. The greyware is likely to date from the 2nd century AD.

{7} The area of strip, map and record identified the ditch and gully found during the previous trial trench excavation. The ditch was dated to the 2nd century AD. A sherd of late Iron Age pottery was probably residual. Though undated, the nearby gully was probably of a similar date. Much of the surrounding area had been heavily truncated by groundworks relating to the former care home.

{8} Mr Prior, 8 Highfield Road, Thrapston, a local historian, indicated that the burials were found at SP 99657877.

{9} SP 996 787. The builders trenches of 1966 cut through ditches containing Roman pottery.

<1> MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, 1963, Untitled Source, 125 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN45345.

<2> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1966, Bulletin of the Northamptonshire Federation of Archaeological Societies (Roman), p.12 (unchecked) (Article). SNN107200.

<3> Jackson, D., 1977, Ipswich Ware From Thrapston, 12/190+191 (unchecked) (Article). SNN63603.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.96 Site 4 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP97NE24 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Hyam A., 2012, An Archaeological Evaluation on Land at the Former Manor House, Chancery Lane, Thrapston, Northamptonshire, p.11 (checked) (Report). SNN109645.

<7> Taylor, E. and Clements, C., 2014, A programme of archaeological investigation on land at Chancery Lane, Thrapston, Northamptonshire, June-September 2014 (Report). SNN110114.

<8> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 29-OCT-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<9> Moore W.R.G., 1968, Roman Settlement in the Upper and Middle Nene Valley, p. 70 (Uncertain). SNN15188.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:03PM