SNN109445 - Wilby Way, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Excavation

Between June and August 1998 CAT carried out an archaeological excavation on the north eastern and south eastern peripheries of a large Iron Age settlement situated immediately to the north east of the A45 Wilby Way roundabout. This work took place just to the south east of a previous excavation carried out by CAT in 1997. Several small curvilinear gullies and cremation burials were apparent which, although as yet undated, could be of Bronze Age date. However, the vast majority of the features found on the excavation proved to be of Iron Age date. Two north west to south east aligned parallel ditches and a fence line formed successive boundaries on the north eastern periphery of the settlement. Several pits and postholes were apparent to the south west of this boundary. The south eastern end of the boundary ditches were cut through by a complex of deep pits. These pits were in turn cut by the ditch of a large enclosure indicating that it may have defined an area of agricultural land. To the south west of this enclosure was a series of pits which were in proximity to a large D-shaped enclosure excavated in 1979. However, the area to the south and east of the main Iron Age settlement was generally unsettled and perhaps used for agricultural purposes. A large medieval limestone quarry was also found.