SNN103300 - An Archaeological Trial Excavation at Earls Barton Quarry (Western Extension)

Northamptonshire Archaeology carried out a multidisciplinary archaeological evaluation within the area of a proposed extension to Earls Barton Quarry, Northamptonshire, for Hanson Aggregates Ltd. The most extensive activity recorded during the evaluation was middle to late Iron Age in date and comprised a series of at least four and possibly five enclosed settlements, with surrounding field systems, or enclosures. The origins of the Iron Age landscape are uncertain but the pit alignment identified adjacent to the enclosure in Field 1, south of the present A45, indicated the presence of late Bronze Age or early Iron Age boundaries. Roman activity appears to have been largely confined to a single area of settlement (covering 3.34ha) north of the A45. At least two phases of activity were present. The first, a track and field system, had as its primary feature a north - south track, defined by side ditches. Associated with the track was a ladder patterned field system, which comprised a series of rectilinear fields, aligned upon the track. The second phase of activity located to the east and west of the track was a series of enclosures on a different alignment. Within these enclosures evidence survived of stone structures and associated with these were significant quantities of domestic Roman pottery. It is clear that after over a thousand years of cultivation that the study area contains no upstanding monuments, and that all archaeological features have been severely truncated only surviving where they cut the natural gravel.