SNN104923 - Archaeological Excavations: Site 9 (Rothwell), A6 Rothwell and Desborough Bypass

This document provides a report on the results of excavations conducted by University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) in advance of construction work for a bypass scheme at Rothwell and Desborough, Northamptonshire. Previous archaeological evaluations by geophysical survey and trial trenching at Site 9 by Northamptonshire Archaeology produced a plan of two enclosures and a number of pits dating to the Iron Age. These excavations confirmed the geophysical plot of the site and produced sherds of La Tene pottery and Scored ware from the features. This pottery dates to the Mid-Late Iron Age and the form of the settlement is consistent with other excavated examples in Northamptonshire of similar date. The artefacts, animal bone and the presence of slag on the site suggest a small farming community that grew crops and kept domesticated animals for food as well as carrying our small scale metalworking close to their habitation area. Despite several phases of recutting of both enclosure ditches there is no evidence for continuation of occupation into the Roman period.