SNN105203 - Iron Age And Roman Enclosures Near Higham Ferrers: The Archaeology of The A6 Rushden and Higham Ferrers Bypass

Archaeological excavations in advance of the construction of the A6 Rushden and Higham Ferrers bypass examined parts of Iron Age and Roman farmstead (site 3) and an Iron Age agricultural enclosure (Site 4). Site 3 showed a continuous sequence of shifting occupation from the middle Iron Age through to the later C2nd AD. Iron Age ring gullies and a sub-circular enclosure were replaced in the C1st AD by a more rectilinear layout of enclosures. No structures were identified and the enclosures appear to have been agricultural back-plots. While there were few exotic items in the finds assemblage, the quantity of early Roman pottery was large, and included several semi complete vessels. The circumstances of their deposition remains enigmatic. Site 4 yielded very few finds and is interpreted as a stock corral