Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman Settlement at Monksmoor Farm, Daventry, Northamptonshire [1 ed.] 9781789692112

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Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm, Daventry, Northamptonshire Tracy Preece

with contributions by

Rob Atkins, Andy Chapman, Mary Ellen Crothers, Val Fryer, Rebecca Gordon, Tora Hylton, Rob Perrin and Yvonne Wolframm-Murray illustrations by

Olly Dindol and Rob Reed

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm, Daventry, Northamptonshire

Tracy Preece

with contributions by

Rob Atkins, Andy Chapman, Mary Ellen Crothers, Val Fryer, Rebecca Gordon, Tora Hylton, Rob Perrin and Yvonne Wolframm-Murray illustrations by

Olly Dindol and Rob Reed

Archaeopress Archaeology

Archaeopress Publishing Ltd Summertown Pavilion 18-24 Middle Way Summertown Oxford OX2 7LG www.archaeopress.com

ISBN 978-1-78969-210-5 ISBN 978-1-78969-211-2 (e-Pdf)

© Authors and Archaeopress 2019 Front cover: Late Iron Age ring gully RG8, looking west Back cover: Late Iron Age ditched enclosure E2 entranceway and cobbled surface

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owners.

This book is available direct from Archaeopress or from our website www.archaeopress.com

Contents List of Figures���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������iv List of Tables ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������v Contributors ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������vi Acknowledgements�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������vii Chapter 1 Introduction�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1 Project background �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 Location, topography and geology������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 Historical and archaeological background ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Prehistoric������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 3 Late Iron Age and/or Roman period���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Saxon/medieval and later ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Archaeological work within the area��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Site phasing���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 Chapter 2 The archaeological evidence���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11 Period 1: Early Neolithic (4000BC to 2500BC)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 11 Neolithic pits������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 11 Period 2: Middle Iron Age (400BC to 100BC) ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11 Period 3: Late Iron Age to post-Conquest (100BC-AD60)����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11 Introduction������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11 Area 1������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13 Enclosure E1������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13 Enclosure E2������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13 Enclosure E3������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15 Ring gully RG1���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16 Ring gullies RG2 and RG3��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17 Ring gullies RG4 and RG5��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18 Ring gullies RG6, RG7 and RG8������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 19 Area 2������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 21 Enclosure E11����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 21 Ring gully RG13�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22 Area 6������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 23 Enclosure E4������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 23 Enclosure E10����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 23 Enclosure E5������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 23 Ring gully RG9���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27 Ring gully RG11�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27 Period 4: Early Roman (AD60-AD150)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27 Introduction������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27 Areas 1, 3, 4 and 5���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27 Area 6������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27 Initial phase of enclosure system E15������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 29 Routeway 1��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 29 Enclosure E9������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 32 Enclosures E12, E13 and E14���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 33 Second phase of enclosure system E16���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 33 Wattle-lined well����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 37 Period 5: Medieval to post-medieval�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 37 Open field system���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 37 Post-medieval quarry pits ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 38

i

Chapter 3 Finds �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������39 Worked Flint by Yvonne Wolframm-Murray������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������39 Area 6��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������39 Raw material and condition�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������39 Pit [356]����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������40 Pit [359]����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������41 Areas 1-5���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������41 The Neolithic pottery by Andy Chapman����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������42 Iron Age and Roman pottery by Rob Perrin�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������43 Overview �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������43 The Iron Age pottery������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������43 Fabrics and sources��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������43 The features���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������44 Roundhouses and ancillary features ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������44 Area 1 �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������44 Area 2��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������44 Area 6 �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������44 Enclosures������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������44 Area 1 �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������44 Area 2��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������45 Area 6 �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������45 Iron Age pottery from Roman features�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������45 The Roman pottery��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������45 Introduction��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������45 Fabrics and sources��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������45 Forms��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������45 Date�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������46 Roman pottery from Iron Age features�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������47 Roman features���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������47 Enclosure E7��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������47 Enclosures E8 and E9������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������47 Enclosure E12������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������48 Enclosure E13������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������48 Enclosure E14������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������48 Enclosure E15������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������49 Enclosure E16������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������50 Routeway 1����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������51 Querns and grinding stones by Andy Chapman�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������51 Fired Clay by Mary Ellen Crothers�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������55 Daub����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������55 Kiln, forge, oven or hearth material����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������55 Floor surface��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������55 Slag by Andy Chapman�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������55 Tile by Rob Atkins ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������56 Other finds by Tora Hylton����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������56 Roman�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������56 Post-medieval �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������57 Catalogue�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������57 Copper alloy��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������57 Iron�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������58 Lead�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������58 Glass����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������58

ii

Chapter 4 The faunal and environmental evidence����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������59 Animal bone by Rebecca Gordon�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������59 Environmental remains by Val Fryer����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������59 Introduction and method statement���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������59 Phase 1: Early Neolithic, Area 6������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������59 Phase 2: Middle Iron Age, Area 6 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������59 Phase 3: Late Iron Age Area 6 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������59 Phase 3: Late Iron Age Area 1 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������61 Phase 4: Roman Area 6���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������61 Conclusions����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������61 Chapter 5 Discussion����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������67 Overview��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������67 Period 1: Early Neolithic������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������67 Period 2: Middle Iron Age ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������68 Period 3: Late Iron Age���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������70 Enclosures �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������73 Wootton Hill type enclosure�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������73 Ring gullies ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������76 Period 4: Early Roman����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������76 Field system���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������78 Paddocks and well����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������78 Period 5: Medieval to post-medieval land use�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������78 Bibliography����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������79

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List of Figures Figure 1.1 Site location�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1 Figure 1.2 Site topography����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2 Figure 1.3 Site geology�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������4 Figure 1.4 Geophysical survey interpretation and trenches to the north���������������������������������������������������������������������������5 Figure 1.5 Geophysical survey interpretation and trenches to the south���������������������������������������������������������������������������6 Figure 1.6 Areas 1-4 overlying geophysical survey�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8 Figure 1.7 Area 6 overlying geophysical survey����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9 Figure 2.1 Area 6: Early Neolithic pits and middle Iron Age features��������������������������������������������������������������������������������12 Figure 2.2 Area 6: Early Neolithic pits [356] and [359], looking north-west���������������������������������������������������������������������13 Figure 2.3 Area 2: Section of ditch [9144/9149], looking south-west���������������������������������������������������������������������������������13 Figure 2.4 Area 1: Late Iron Age settlement���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14 Figure 2.5 Area 1: Late Iron Age ditched enclosure E1 [7124]���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15 Figure 2.6 Area 1: Late Iron Age pit [7094]�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15 Figure 2.7 Area 1: Late Iron Age ditched enclosure E2 entranceway and cobbled surface��������������������������������������������16 Figure 2.8 Area 1: Late Iron Age posthole [7543]�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16 Figure 2.9 Area 1: Late Iron Age ditched enclosure E3 looking west����������������������������������������������������������������������������������17 Figure 2.10 Area 1: Late Iron Age gully RG2 [7559]����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������18 Figure 2.11 Area 1: Late Iron Age pit [7601]����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������18 Figure 2.12 Area 1: Late Iron Age pit [7513]����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������18 Figure 2.13 Area 1: Late Iron Age ring gully RG5, looking north-east��������������������������������������������������������������������������������18 Figure 2.14 Area 1 : Late Iron Age ring gully RG8, looking west������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19 Figure 2.15 Area 1: Late Iron Age pit [7315]����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19 Figure 2.16 Area 2: Late Iron Age enclosure E11��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������20 Figure 2.17 Area 2: Late Iron Age ditched enclosure E11������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21 Figure 2.18 Area 2: Late Iron Age ditched enclosure E11 showing revetment������������������������������������������������������������������22 Figure 2.19 Area 2: Late Iron Age ring gully RG13, looking north���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������22 Figure 2.20 Area 6: Late Iron Age settlement��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������24 Figure 2.21 Area 6: Late Iron Age enclosure E4, looking south-west����������������������������������������������������������������������������������25 Figure 2.22 Area 6: Late Iron Age ring gully RG12 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������25 Figure 2.23 Area 6: Late Iron Age ring gully RG10������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������26 Figure 2.24 Area 6: Late Iron Age ring gully RG9, looking west�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������26 Figure 2.25 Areas 1, 3, 4 and 5: Early Roman activity ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������28 Figure 2.26 Area 6: Early Roman settlement���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������30 Figure 2.27 Area 6: Early Roman settlement initial phase����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������31 Figure 2.28 Area 6: Early Roman ditched enclosure E15�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������32 Figure 2.29 Area 6: Early Roman ditched enclosure E15 showing re-cuts and stake holes���������������������������������������������32 Figure 2.30 Area 6: Early Roman ladder enclosures E12, E13 and E14, looking south-west��������������������������������������������33 Figure 2.31 Area 6: Early Roman settlement second phase��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������34 Figure 2.32 Area 6: Early Roman ditched enclosure E16�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������35 Figure 2.33 Area 6: Early Roman wattle-lined well [222]������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������35 Figure 2.34 Medieval field systems and post-medieval quarrying in Areas 1 to 6������������������������������������������������������������36 Figure 2.35 Post-medieval quarrying in Area 2����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������37 iv

Figure 3.1 Flake from polished stone axe, showing flat facet and finely worked, broken flint arrowheads, all from early Neolithic pit [356]�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������41 Figure 3.2 The radiocarbon determination�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������43 Figure 3.3 Pottery illustration catalogue 1-10������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������52 Figure 3.4 Pottery illustration catalogue 11-21����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������53 Figure 3.5 Pottery illustration catalogue 22-28����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������54 Figure 5.1 Daventry Monksmoor and surrounding sites������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������69 Figure 5.2 Area 1 phase plan������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������71 Figure 5.3 Area 6 phase plan������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������72 Figure 5.4 Artist impression of Wootton Hill enclosure (after Jackson, 2010, 108)����������������������������������������������������������74 Figure 5.5 Iron Age gateways in Northamptonshire�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������75 Figure 5.6 Comparative plans of paddocks and routeways��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������77

List of Tables Table 1.1 Summary of site chronology and significant archaeological features����������������������������������������������������������������7 Table 2.1 Comparison of the late Iron Age ring gullies in Areas 1, 2 and 6������������������������������������������������������������������������17 Table 3.1 Quantification of worked flint in Area 6�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������39 Table 3.2 Catalogue of flint from pit [356]�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������40 Table 3.3 Catalogue of flint from pit [359]�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������41 Table 3.4 Quantification of worked flint as residual finds from Areas 1-5�������������������������������������������������������������������������42 Table 3.5 Late Iron Age pottery by feature group quantification���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������44 Table 3.6 Roman pottery fabric quantification����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������46 Table 3.7 Roman vessel forms per fabric���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������46 Table 3.8 Roman pottery feature group quantification��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������47 Table 3.9 Roman pottery feature group vessel form quantification�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������47 Table 3.10 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, enclosure E12�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������48 Table 3.11 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, enclosure E13�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������48 Table 3.12 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, enclosure E14�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������49 Table 3.13 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, enclosure E15�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������50 Table 3.14 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, enclosure E16�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������51 Table 3.15 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, trackway E17������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������51 Table 3.16 Quantification of querns and grinding stones�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������54 Table 3.17 Daub����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������55 Table 3.18 Kiln, oven or hearth material���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������55 Table 3.19 Quantification of slag�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������56 Table 3.20 Roman ceramic tile�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������56 Table 3.21 Small finds quantified by material type���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������57 Table 4.1 Area 6: Iron Age environmental samples���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������60 Table 4.2 Area 1: Iron Age environmental samples���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������62 Table 4.3 Area 6: Early Roman ditches environmental samples������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������63 Table 4.4 Area 6: Early Roman features environmental samples����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������63

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Contributors Rob Atkins BSocSc DipArch MCIfA Reporting and Publications Manager, MOLA

Tora Hylton Finds and Archives Officer, MOLA

Andy Chapman BSc MCIfA FSA Former MOLA and prehistoric pottery specialist

Rob Perrin BA PGCE MLitt MCIfA FSA Freelance specialist, Salisbury

Mary Ellen Crothers BA MA Heritage Assessments and Reporting Officer and fired clay specialist, MOLA

Tracy Preece BA Reporting and Publications Officer, MOLA

Val Fryer BA MCIfA Freelance environmental specialist, Norfolk Rebecca Gordon BSc MSc PhD Former Finds and Environmental Processing Officer, MOLA

vi

Yvonne Wolframm-Murray BSc PhD Project Supervisor and lithics specialist, MOLA

Acknowledgements MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our clients AECOM on behalf of Crest Nicholson. In particular Helen Maclean who greatly helped in the smooth running of the project. The project was managed by Mark Holmes and Liz Muldowney. Thanks are also due to Lesley-Ann Mather, the County Archaeological Advisor for Northamptonshire County Council, who monitored the project on behalf of Daventry District Council. The report has been prepared by Tracy Preece with editorial comment and proof reading by Rob Atkins, Chris Chinnock and Mark Holmes. Finally, as always, MOLA are indebted to the many staff who undertook the site fieldwork. The different evaluation and excavation areas were directed by Sam Egan, Ed Taylor and Jeremy Mordue. The trial trench evaluation was undertaken by James Burke, Chris Jones, David Knight. Excavators included Emma Bayley, Kirsty Beecham, Chris Chinnock, Laura Cogley Adam Douthwaite, Anne Foard-Colby, Paulina Galewska, David Haynes, Peter Haynes, Ben Kidd, Piotr Kieca, Konrad Lewek, Simon Markus, Ant Maull, Chris Pennell, Thomas Revell, Adam Reid, Andrew Smith, Rob Smith, Adam Starachowski and Piotr Szczepanik. Thanks to all the specialists and illustrators who were involved and to Steve Critchley for the metal detecting.

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Chapter 1

Introduction Project background

Two separate phases of excavation were undertaken; to the north were Areas 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 which were excavated between December 2014 and March 2015 whilst the south-west part of the development, Area 6, was excavated between July 2013 and September 2013 and then, after a short hiatus, between March 2014 and April 2014. In February 2015 Area 6 was extended to pursue two linear features which extended outside the excavation area. Monitoring was undertaken by LesleyAnn Mather of NCC on behalf of Daventry District Council (DDC).

The investigations at Monksmoor Farm were undertaken in three parts between July 2013 and March 2015. MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) were commissioned by AECOM to undertake archaeological excavation prior to construction of a residential development. Desk-based assessment (Rouse and Hunn 2005) was followed by a geophysical and fieldwalking survey of the site (Hancock 2005a, 2005b) and trench evaluation works (Hancock 2006c). A detailed geophysical survey of the entirety of proposed development site was undertaken by MOLA (then Northamptonshire Archaeology) in 2012 (Walker and Walford 2012). A final phase of trial trenching of the northern area was completed in 2014 (Burke and Simmonds 2014). After the evaluation, a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) was produced for the excavations by MOLA (MOLA 2014a) following the objectives for the excavation identified in the brief provided by the County Archaeological Advisor for Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) (Mather 2013).

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Location, topography and geology The site occupies an area of c51ha located on the northeastern edge of Daventry, north of Daventry County Park and bordering the Daventry Reservoir (Fig 1.1). To the west lies Welton Lane and beyond is modern suburban development. To the east lies open farmland. The main site has been subdivided into a south-west area of c28ha and a northern area of c23ha. This latter area is bounded by the Grand Union Canal on its northern edge. The

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Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

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Introduction

Saxon/medieval and later

development area was formerly arable farmland with the recently demolished Monksmoor Farm at its centre. This latter building only survived as a small area of concrete footings during the time of the excavation.

No Saxon remains have been identified within the development area but the site is close to the town of Daventry. An excavation in Daventry uncovered 6thcentury remains with the site reoccupied from the 10th century (Soden 1996/7). An isolated sunken feature building was investigated during the Apex Park excavations (Markus 2016).

The topography varied across the site; the southern area was largely flat with an average height of 125m above Ordnance Datum, falling to the east towards a stream at the eastern boundary (Fig 1.2). The northern area was on a slight south-eastern slope, with Areas 1, 3, 4 and 5 positioned along the slope at heights between 114m-120m aOD. Area 2 was located on a small plateau at 112m aOD, with the aforementioned slope c15m west of it.

The area around the development site probably comprised open, agricultural land during the medieval period. The area lay to the north-east of the medieval centre of Daventry, within the open field landscape of the township. Ridge and furrow cultivation earthworks have been recorded both within and adjacent to the site boundaries.

The soils are slowly permeable, seasonally waterlogged fine loamy, fine silty and clayey soils (SSEW 1983, 711f) (Fig 1.3). There are small areas of slowly permeable calcareous soils on steeper slopes. The underlying geology consists of glaciofluvial or alluvium deposits (BGS 2017).

The Daventry Extensive Urban Survey records the existence of a windmill and watermill (SMRs 638/0/184, 638/38 and 638/36/1) adjacent to the parish boundary and c400m west of site (Foard et al 2006, 3.1.2.5). Directly to the south of Monksmoor Farm, field names recorded in the Daventry Extensive Urban Survey (Windmill Piece, Old Mill Piece) show the presence of mills in the area that later became the Daventry Reservoir (Fig 3). The landscape around the site has been reconstructed to indicate that the area was made up of large, open, irregularly shaped furlongs, including Langdon Furlong, Priors Furze in Daventre Field and Windmill Piece shooting East and West.

Historical and archaeological background Prehistoric Scant archaeological remains dating to the early prehistoric period are known within the study area. An Iron Age hillfort, Borough Hill (NHLE 1010696: RCHME 1981, 3, fig 54) is situated c1.5km to the south-east of the site (Fig 5.1). Multivallate ditches enclose the hillfort over a distance of 1.5km north to south. The hillfort has been partly overlain by ditches of another smaller multivallate hillfort on the northern part of the hill. Archaeological sites of both earlier and later date lie within the two hillforts, including two Bronze Age barrows, a Roman building complex and barrow cemetery. Excavations at Daventry Apex Park 2km to the west of Monksmoor Farm revealed an early Bronze Age segmented enclosure, a late Bronze Age to early Iron Age pit alignment and polygonal enclosure and an early to middle Iron Age settlement dating to c450-250BC including ring gullies and post-structures (Markus 2016; Markus and Morris forthcoming).

The Grand Junction Canal (SMRs 442, 442/1 and 442/1/1) was constructed by William Jessop between 1793 and 1815 and forms the northern boundary of the site. The stretch of the canal within the study area includes the Braunston Tunnel (SMR 442/1/13). The Daventry Reservoir (SMR 7824/0/0) was opened in 1804 and forms the southern boundary of the site. The 1803 Inclosure Map shows the area surrounding the site consisting of an open landscape, labelled Bean Field, with a few rectilinear field boundaries marked along the southern side of the canal. In contrast, by the time the First Edition Ordnance Survey map was published in the 1880s, the entire surrounding landscape had been subdivided by rectilinear field boundaries. Thrupp Grounds Farm, to the east of the site, and Lang Farm, to the west of the site, were both in existence by this time.

Late Iron Age and/or Roman period Late Iron Age and Roman remains have been identified at Borough Hill (ibid), and a settlement of this period has been excavated at Middlemore Farm (Wilson 2004), c1.5km to the west of the site. Features comprised a boundary ditch thought to denote the limits of the cultivated areas, separating livestock on the southern side of the hillslope with crops to the north. Further ditches defining enclosures were identified along with associated pits or postholes. The pottery from the site is dated to between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD.

Archaeological work within the area The development area has been subjected to previous archaeological investigations comprising a geophysical survey (Hancock 2005a), fieldwalking (Hancock 2005b) and two phases of targeted evaluation trenching (Hancock 2006b and c). 3

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

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Introduction

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Fig 1.5

Introduction

Detailed gradiometer survey blocks were located over two discrete areas of possible archaeology as well as apparently blank areas. The first archaeological area was located to the north of the farm buildings and comprised four ring gullies and two small enclosures. The second area was situated in the south-west corner of the site. Subsequent trial trench evaluations (Hancock 2006a, b and c) confirmed the presence of archaeology in both areas, with the northern area of activity dating to the late Iron Age, with some evidence of continuity of settlement from the early middle Iron Age. The activity in the south-west was shown to comprise a series of Roman ditches.

which related to subsidiary occupation or to livestock management. A small rectangular enclosure was identified within Trenches 46 and 47 that was defined by a broad ditch, c220m to the east of the settlement. Within the enclosure were the remains of a ring ditch and a pit. Two separate phases of excavation were undertaken; to the north were Areas 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (Fig 1.6) whilst to the south-west was Area 6 (Fig 1.7). The southern excavation comprised Area 6 (2.3ha) in one arable field. The northern excavation was split into separate areas over two fields Area 1 (0.4ha), Area 2 (0.22ha), Area 3 (10m x 30m), Area 4 (20m x 70m) and Area 5 (110m x 20m). Both the north and south areas initially targeted archaeological features identified by previous geophysical survey and trial trench evaluation, these areas were then extended to encompass all further exposed archaeological features.

Subsequent detailed geophysical survey of the entirety of the proposed development site was undertaken by MOLA (formerly Northamptonshire Archaeology) in 2012 (Walker and Walford 2012). Area 6 was located in the south-western part of Field 1 (Fig 1.5) and incorporated the Roman features identified in the previous geophysical evaluation survey (Hancock 2006b). Due to unfavourable magnetic properties of the soil the 2006 evaluation was unable to provide a clear layout and extent of enclosure or boundary ditches. Area 1, to the north consisted of a cluster of six small features, comprising penannular gullies and sub-square ditched enclosures (Fig 1.4). This site was first found and investigated during the earlier phase of evaluation and was shown by excavation to be of Iron Age date (Hancock 2006c). In Area 2, approximately 250m east of Area 1 there was a rectangular ditched enclosure. Its eastern edge lay close to a sewer pipe and was obscured in the geophysical survey by the resultant magnetic halo. Within the enclosure was a penannular feature indicating a possible roundhouse with an east facing entrance.

Site phasing The results of the excavation confirmed the pattern of enclosure and ditch systems highlighted by the geophysical survey and trial trench evaluations. The stratigraphic analysis combined with the pottery has enabled a chronological sequence to be established which is summarised below. Archaeological features were encountered across all six excavated areas with the main concentrations in Areas 1, 2 and 6 and these will be discussed by Area. Table 1.1 Summary of site chronology and significant archaeological features Period

The 2012 works also included trial trench evaluation of the south-western part of the development area. The trenching confirmed the presence of features associated with the less clearly defined Roman site situated in the south-western corner (Area 6) (Fig 1.5). Fewer pottery sherds were recovered from this phase of the evaluation than previously and features appeared to be earlier, dating from the middle Iron Age to early Roman period. Features investigated during the 2006 evaluation in this area were dated from the 1st to 3rd centuries (Hancock 2006 a, b and c). In 2014 a trial trench evaluation was conducted in the northern area (Burke and Simmonds 2014). The evaluation identified a series of features of late Iron Age to early Roman (early to mid-1st-century AD) date

7

Features

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Early Neolithic Two pits (Area 6) (4000 BC to 2500 BC)

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Ditch (Area 2) Ditched enclosures (Area 6) Ring gully (Area 6)

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Ditched enclosures (Areas 1, 2 and 6) Ring gullies (Areas 1, 2 and 6) Pits (Areas 1, 2 and 6) Postholes (Areas 1 and 6)

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Ditched enclosures (Areas 1,3, 4, 5 and 6) Pits (Areas 4 and 6) Postholes (Area 4) Well (Area 6)

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Ridge and furrow (Areas 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6) Quarry pits (Area 2)

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

Figure 1.6 Areas 1-4 overlying geophysical survey

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Introduction

Figure 1.7 Area 6 overlying geophysical survey

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Chapter 2

The archaeological evidence Period 1: Early Neolithic (4000BC to 2500BC)

A single ring gully was identified in the north-east corner indicating a small possible domestic structure associated with the enclosure system. It comprised a pennanular ring gully RG14 of single phase construction with a presumed internal diameter of c5m. Only the northern, eastern and southern sides survived and this may be an indication that an entrance was located on its western side which although may be seen as slightly unusual it is not uncommon. The ring gully was c0.60m wide and up to 0.20m deep with a concave profile, slightly concave base and a backfill that contained very small quantities of fired clay and charcoal.

Neolithic pits The two pits [356] and [359] were located adjacent to one another only c0.30m apart on a small plateau at over 125m aOD in the centre of Area 6 (Fig 2.1). These were the only features to contain evidence for Neolithic activity within the excavation. Pit [356] was subcircular in plan, 1.50m in diameter and 0.20m deep with a shallow concave profile and flattish base (Fig 2.2). A lower fill comprising a sterile mid brown silty clay was overlain by slightly darker upper fill which contained 12 sherds of hand-made pottery and 54 pieces of flint which included debitage as well as tools including blades, arrowheads and four flakes from axes (see Wolframm-Murray, Chapter 3; Fig 3.1; Table 3.2). There were four intrusive sherds and crumbs (5g) of probable Roman pottery. A sample taken from the upper fill of the pit was found to contain large quantities of charcoal likely to derive from domestic hearth waste and has given a radiocarbon date of the early Neolithic (3631-3373 cal BC - 4710 ± 30 BP, 95% confidence; Beta 479939) (Fig 3.2).

A section of ditch [9144/9149] was located in Area 2 (Fig 2.15) that had not been identified in the previous geophysical survey or trial trenching evaluation stage, most likely due to its naturally-derived fills. Only a 5m length was present within the excavation area and an excavated section found evidence for an original ditch [9149] c1m wide and 1.20 deep with near vertical sided that was re-cut by a wide and shallower ditch [9144] that was 1.55m wide and 0.70m deep with steep sides and a flattish base(Fig 2.3: S.188). No artefacts were recovered and a presumed middle Iron Age date is assigned on stratigraphic grounds since it was cut by the late Iron Age enclosure ditch E11.

Pit [359], 0.30m to the south-west of pit [356] was 2.0m in diameter and 0.25m deep with a shallow asymmetrical concave profile and flattish base (Fig 2.2). Its infilling was very similar to pit [356] and its upper fill contained eight Neolithic pottery sherds (35g) and four worked flints (Table 3.3), as well as five wheel-finished Roman pottery sherds. However, it is not surprising that these pits contained intrusive Roman pottery as a Roman enclosure system was established in this area.

Period 3: Late Iron Age to post-Conquest (100BCAD60) Introduction The majority of the evidence for this phase was identified in Areas 1, 2 and 6 (Fig 1.2). Area 1 contained three ditched enclosures and a cluster of eight ring gullies though not all of these features were contemporary as there is evidence for sequential activity. Other associated features included pits and postholes (Fig 2.4). The majority of the ring gullies appear to be domestic dwellings with others perhaps functioning as ancillary structures. A moderate pottery assemblage was recovered, which comprises locally produced wares consistently late Iron Age in date. In Area 2 a substantial ditched enclosure that may be defined as a Wootton Hill type was identified, which contained a ring gully that was positioned slightly off centre (Fig 2.16). In Area 6 activity was located to the east in the vicinity of the middle Iron Age settlement. It comprised three ditched enclosures and four ring gullies, of which two were located inside enclosures (Fig 2.20). They appear to have a more defined layout

Period 2: Middle Iron Age (400BC to 100BC) The remnants of a middle Iron Age settlement were identified on the basis of stratigraphical relations lies in the eastern half of Area 6 over a c140m by 80m area (Fig 2.1). The activity comprised a series of rectilinear enclosure ditches and an associated ring gully RG14, the majority of which were truncated by features assigned to later phases. These ditches are likely to represent the first evidence for land subdivision associated with farming practices at the site. Remnants of nine ditches were identified, of which seven were located in the eastern part of the area close to the ring gully. They were mainly orientated north-west to south-east or north-east to south-west presumably defining parts of enclosures. 11

Scale 1:1250

Area 6: Early Neolithic pits and middle Iron Age features Figure 2.1 Area 6: Early Neolithic pits and middle Iron Age features

12

Fig 2.1

OS OpenData contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018

0

50m

S105

359

356

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

The archaeological evidence

Section 105 SW 354 355

NE

357 358

356

0

359

1m

Figure 2.2 Area 6: Early Neolithic pits [356] and [359], looking north-west Section 188 SW

NE

9138 9141 9143

9139 9140

9144 9142

9145 9147

9146 9148

0

9149

1m

Figure 2.3 Area 2: Section of ditch [9144/9149], looking south-west

gully RG6 was constructed over the entranceway of RG8. Several contained internal activity such as pits and postholes. All of the ring gullies were of a similar size with internal diameters of between 7m and 10m and most had south-east or east facing entrances (RG6 and RG7). Ring gully RG5 was the only structure to have a west facing entrance and had an opposing entrance with roundhouse RG6. Moderate quantities of late Iron Age pottery were recovered from the ring gullies and associated postholes, the majority of which came from ring gully RG8. Environmental samples taken from RG8 show a cereal assemblage in which barley, rye and wheat were being processed. Almost the entire fired clay assemblage for this period was found in ring gully RG8 and enclosure E2. However, only a small quantity of animal bone was recovered, the majority of which was associated with enclosure E1 and roundhouse RG8.

Enclosure E1

than those in Area 1 and may have maintained a level of functionality into the early Roman period. The majority of the structures comprise the remnants of drip gullies defining roundhouses or associated ancillary buildings. Several showed evidence for internal activity such as pits and postholes.

Enclosure 1 (E1) was located close to the western edge of the area and appears to be the earliest as it was truncated by ring gully RG8 and enclosure E2 (Fig 2.4). It was C-shaped in plan and c14m diameter internally with a presumed east-facing entranceway. Excavated sections showed the ditch to be c2.0m wide and between 0.70m and 1.0m deep with an asymmetrical V-shaped profile (Fig 2.5). Its lower fills were lighter in colour comprising mid grey brown silty clay while the upper fill was a dark brown grey containing pottery sherds and charcoal. Internally it contained a pit [7096] that was 0.50m in diameter and 0.12m deep and the infilling contained several large burnt cobbles and patches of black and reddened clay indicative of a hearth. Located 4m to the south-west of the enclosure was a large pit [7094] that may have functioned as a storage pit. It was 1.95m in diameter and 0.60m deep with near vertical sides and a flattish base (Fig 2.6). The lower fill comprised mid brown grey sandy clay that was overlain by dark grey brown silty clay that contained a small assemblage of late Iron Age pottery.

Area 1 Area 1 was examined by geophysical survey. Several anomalies were identified comprising ditched enclosures and ring gullies with a significant correlation between the results of the geophysical survey and the subsequently excavated features. Three ditched enclosures E1, E2 and E3 and eight ring gullies RG1, RG2, RG3, RG4, RG5, RG6, RG7 and RG8 were present in Area 1 (Fig 2.4). The enclosures were truncated by Roman ditches. Sequential activity was identified as the presumed earliest enclosure E1 was truncated by enclosure E2 and one of the ring gullies RG8. The ring gullies defined a cluster of roundhouses and possible ancillary structures which covered much of the excavated area. Ring gullies RG7 and RG8, showed evidence of having been re-dug and maintained, whilst the remaining ring gullies were of single phase construction. However, they were not all contemporary as some were clearly replacements. In particular ring

Enclosure E2 Abutting up to E1 on its eastern side was a presumed sub-rectangular enclosure 2 (E2) which was located 13

25m 0

S27

S32

Scale 1:500

Area 1: Late Iron Age settlement

Figure 2.4 Area 1: Late Iron Age settlement

14

OS OpenData contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018

7303 7316

S48

7315 7312 S91

S179

S159

S168

S202

S185

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

Fig 2.4

The archaeological evidence

Section 32 W

E 7121

7122

7123

0

7124

1m

Figure 2.5 Area 1: Late Iron Age ditched enclosure E1 [7124] Section 27 W

E

7092 7093

7094

0

1m

Figure 2.6 Area 1: Late Iron Age pit [7094]

partially within the southern edge of Area 1. It measured internally at least 20m long and 11m wide. It had an entranceway on its north-east side which had a surviving 3m by 4m cobbled surface as well as fragments outside close to the terminals over an area 2m by 1m (Fig 2.7). This cobbled surface was located over the backfill of the internal ditches suggesting it was only laid during the middle to later lifetime of the enclosure. It comprised a single course of densely packed cobbles that ranged in size from 5cm to 30cm. Two well-constructed postholes were present in the entranceway, presumably forming part of a gateway to access the enclosed area. They were c0.4.0m in diameter and up to 0.40m deep and contained remnants of possible stone packing (Fig 2.8). A sequence of ditches were identified indicating that the enclosure was re-cut on at least three occasions suggesting it had been in use for a long time. The earlier ditches were between 0.50m and 0.70m wide and up to 0.40m deep. They were replaced by a later much more substantial ditch that was generally 3m wide and 1.50m deep. However, the ditches were similar in profile having steep concave sides and concave bases. The infilling of the earlier ditches and the lower fill of the re-cut comprised a mid grey brown silty clay. The upper fill of the re-cut was slightly darker and contained moderate to large quantities of pottery sherds. A total of 184 pottery sherds, weighing 1.48kg (Table 3.6) were recovered from

segments on the northern, eastern and western sides of the enclosure with no obvious distribution (Fig 3.3, 3). A fragment of grinding stone was recovered (Table 3.17) as were fragments of fired clay from forge furniture and probable hearth material (Table 3.19). Enclosure E3 Sub-square enclosure 3 (E3) was located close to the northern edge of the excavation area and was externally 13m in size, c10m internal diameter with a 2m wide east-facing entrance (Figs 2.4 and 2.9). The ditch defining the enclosure varied along its length. The north and south sides were generally 1.0m wide and up to 0.40m deep whereas the western side was up to 2.0m wide and 0.60m deep. It had a similar steep-sided concave profile and slightly concave base throughout. The infilling within the ditch comprised a mid brown grey silty clay though the south side had a much darker upper fill. A moderate assemblage of 187 pottery sherds (0.74kg) pottery was recovered from the ditch and southern entrance terminal fill, the northern entrance terminal having been excavated during the trial trench evaluation. Part of a rotary quern was found in a segment on the northern side of the enclosure (see Chapman, Chapter 3). A curvilinear internal ditch that was c9m long, c0.40m wide and 0.20m deep appears to have partitioned part of the north-east corner of the 15

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

Figure 2.7 Area 1: Late Iron Age ditched enclosure E2 entranceway and cobbled surface

Section 179 E

Section 179 E

W

W

7542

7543

7543

0

0

7542

0.5m

0.5m Figure 2.8 Area 1: Late Iron Age posthole [7543]

enclosure. It formed a 3.0m wide entrance that was in line with the east facing entrance of the enclosure. A single internal posthole was located adjacent to the western side that was 0.35m in diameter and 0.15m deep. Located outside but also adjacent to its western side was a pit that was 2.0m in diameter and 0.70m deep with steep concave sides and a flattish base. Its mid grey brown silty clay contained a deposit of large stones at the base.

Ring gully RG1 A probable pennanular roundhouse RG1 was located on the southern edge of the area immediately to the east of enclosure E2. With only the northern half visible it had a projected internal diameter of c12m and an eastfacing entrance that was at least 2m wide (Fig 2.4). It was defined by a gully 0.30m to 0.50m wide and up to 0.15m deep with a rounded V-shaped profile. Its mid 16

The archaeological evidence

Figure 2.9 Area 1: Late Iron Age ditched enclosure E3 looking west Table 2.1 Comparison of the late Iron Age ring gullies in Areas 1, 2 and 6 Ring gully

Excavation Area

Internal diameter

Depth

Width

Internal features

Entrance

RG1

1

12m

0.15m

0.30-0.50m

Two postholes

2m wide E facing

RG2

1

10m

0.20m

0.50m

Single pit

8m wide SE facing

RG3

1

8

0.30m

0.90m

-

3m wide E facing

RG4

1

7m?

0.20m

0.40m

Three pits/postholes

?m wide E facing

RG5

1

9m

0.20m

0.40-0.60m

-

3m wide W facing

RG6

1

8m

0.20m

0.40-0.60m

-

3m wide E facing

RG7

1

9m

0.20-035m

0.40-0.60m

Five pits

3.5m wide E facing

RG8

1

11m

0.20-0.40m

0.55-1.10m

Fourteen pits

3.5m wide E facing

RG9

6

10m

0.15m

0.45-0.60m

-

4m wide E facing

RG10

6

10m

0.20-0.70m

0.50-1.0m

Three postholes

4m wide E facing

RG11

6

8.5

0.25-0.35m

0.30-0.75m

Four postholes

2.5m wide E facing

RG12

6

11m

0.50m

0.30-0.70m

Single pit

4m wide NE facing

RG13

2

9m

0.40m

1.0m

-

2.5m wide E facing

RG14

6

5m

0.15m

0.60-0.80m

-

W facing?

grey silty clay fill contained three sherds of late Iron Age pottery. Internal features comprised two postholes c1m apart, which were between 0.25m and 0.35m in diameter and up to 0.15m deep.

Ring gullies RG2 and RG3 Ring gullies RG2 and RG3 were situated abutting one another on the eastern edge of the area just to 17

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm the north-east of ring gully RG1. They were both sub-circular in plan and appeared to represent the remains of a roundhouse RG2 and an annex-type structure RG3 (Fig 2.3). RG2 had an internal diameter of c10m and an 8m wide south-east facing entrance. The gully was c0.50m wide and no more than 0.20m deep with a concave profile and slightly concave base (Fig 2.10). It was infilled with mid orange brown silty clay that contained 34 sherds (77g) of late Iron Age pottery and one flint flake. A single pit [7601] was located within the roundhouse that was 1.0m in diameter and 0.30m deep with steep sides and a flattish though uneven base (Fig 2.11). The fill was found to contain large stones and fragments of charcoal. RG3 was situated on the southern side of RG2 and had an internal diameter of c8m and a c3m wide east-facing entrance. It was defined by a gully that was generally 0.90m wide though it narrowed to 0.50m at the terminal and was up to 0.40m deep with a rounded V-shaped profile. No pottery was found in the ring gully and no internal features such as pits and postholes were identified although a layer of stony material covered an area 4m in diameter in the internal western part.

Section 185 SW

NE 7560

7559

0.5m

0

Figure 2.10 Area 1: Late Iron Age gully RG2 [7559] Section 202 S

N 7600

7601

0

1m

Figure 2.11 Area 1: Late Iron Age pit [7601] Section 168 SW

NE 7512

Ring gullies RG4 and RG5

7513

Penannular roundhouses RG4 and RG5 were located towards the centre of the excavation area (Fig 2.4). The western side of RG4 was truncated by RG5. RG4 had a projected internal diameter of c7m and was fragmentary, with the northern and eastern sides of the gully not surviving. Where surviving, the gully was c0.40m wide and no more than 0.20m deep with a shallow concave profile. It was infilled with a single mid orange brown silty clay. Associated features comprised an internal pit and two postholes. The pit [7513] was 0.80m in diameter and 0.35m deep with steep sides and a flattish base. Its orange grey sandy clay backfill contained several large stones but was sterile and contained no pottery (Fig 2.12). The two postholes were located 0.40m apart immediately to the south-east of the pit and may be an indication that the entranceway was located on the eastern side.

0

1m

Figure 2.12 Area 1: Late Iron Age pit [7513]

RG5 had an internal diameter of c9m and was the only roundhouse to have a west facing entrance, measuring around 3m wide. It was defined by a gully c0.50m wide with an asymmetrical concave profile (Fig 2.13: S.159). Close to the southern entrance terminal, the gully had been widened to 1.50m for a short section either as a re-cut or possible a later pit. The depth was between 0.15m and 0.25m throughout. It was infilled with mid orange brown sandy clay that was slightly darker at the southern terminal and contained a small assemblage of 10 pottery sherds (54g).

Section 159 159 Section E E 7489

0

W

W

7489

7490 7490

0

0.5m 0.5m

Figure 2.13 Area 1: Late Iron Age ring gully RG5, looking north-east

18

The archaeological evidence

Section 48 S

N 7165

7162 7163

7166

0

7164

1m

Figure 2.14 Area 1 : Late Iron Age ring gully RG8, looking west

Ring gullies RG6, RG7 and RG8

Section 91 S

Ring gullies RG6, RG7 and RG8 formed a cluster within a 30m area towards the west of the area (Fig 2.4). They were all truncated by a Roman ditch (Fig 1.2). Not all three ring gullies were contemporary as the construction of ring gully RG6 blocked the entranceway to ring gully RG8, which was an earlier structure and no longer in use by the time RG6 was built. Ring gully RG7 may have been an ancillary structure that was possibly originally constructed at a similar time as ring gully RG8 and continued in use alongside ring gully RG6.

N 7313

7311

7312 7314

0

7315

0.5m

Figure 2.15 Area 1: Late Iron Age pit [7315]

worked stone deriving from grinding stones were found in a pit and posthole (see Chapman, Chapter 3). A large piece of slag weighing over 400g (see Chapman, Chapter 3) along with fragments of fired clay (205g) appears to have derived from a structure such as a forge or kiln, iron working waste and possible remnants of a floor surface, the majority of which came from ditch [7249] (see Crothers, Chapter 3).

Roundhouse RG8 was the southernmost in the cluster. It was penannular in plan, with a c11m internal diameter and 3.50m wide eastern-facing entrance (Figs 2.4 and 2.14). It had been re-cut at least twice on the northern side particularly in the vicinity of the northern terminal and at least once on the western and southern sides suggesting longevity of use and maintenance. The original gully had a steeper rounded U-shaped profile generally between 0.70m and 1.0m wide and between 0.20m and 0.40m deep (Fig 2.14: S.48). The re-cut was c0.40m deep with a more concave profile and base between 1.0m and 1.4m wide. It was infilled with dark brown grey silty clay from which a significant assemblage of pottery with 187 sherds (1.58kg) was recovered (Table 3.6). There was no obvious distribution with the pottery and it was found throughout the ring gully. Fourteen internal pits and postholes were clustered towards the eastern half of the roundhouse. Several of the pits were found to be intercutting suggesting a possible re-use of the space. The pits were between 0.50m and 1.0m in diameter and between 0.15m and 0.40m deep with steep sides and flattish bases (Fig 2.15). At least four (7303, 7316, 7312 and 7315) appear to have been postpits. At some point the internal space within the ring gully was used as a waste deposition area as the infilling of the majority of these pits comprised dark brown grey fills containing 38 pottery sherds, charcoal and large stones. Two pieces of

Roundhouse RG6 was located in the centre of the cluster, c9m to the west of RG5 with which it had an opposing entrance. It had an internal diameter of 8m and was defined by a gully 0.40m to 0.60m wide and up to 0.20m deep with a shallow concave profile. Only five pottery sherds (16g) were recovered from its fill. An internal pit [7338] was located within RG6, which was 0.80m in diameter and 0.30m deep with concave sides and a flattish base. Its sole mid brown grey silty clay infilling appeared to derive from waste material. The northernmost ring gully in the cluster, RG7, may be an ancillary structure possibly functioning as a working or storage area based on its oval plan. It had an internal diameter measuring 9m by 7m with an irregular 3.50m wide eastern entrance. During its use it had been re-cut on the western and southern sides. The original gully was c0.60m wide and up to 0.25m deep with a U-shaped profile. The later re-cut was a similar size and depth with a rounded V-shaped profile. A c6m long gully extension was added onto the southern side 19

Scale 1:1000

Area 2: Late Iron Age enclosure E11 Fig 2.16

Figure 2.16 Area 2: Late Iron Age enclosure E11

20

OS OpenData contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018

0

50m

S188

9144/9149

S210

S109

?Middle Iron Age

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

The archaeological evidence

that was c0.60m wide and 0.30m deep with a concave profile and flattish base. This may have created an elongated extended entranceway along with the three postholes (see below), but the reason for this is uncertain. The fill comprised dark brown grey silty clay and contained a moderate quantity of 84 pottery sherds (0.58kg) recovered from excavated segments along the southern side and northern terminal. Internal features comprised two adjacent pits [7425] and [7403] sited in the western half. The pits were c0.70m in diameter and up to 0.40m deep with steep sides and flat bases. They were infilled with dark grey brown silty clay that contained stones and pottery. Three postholes between 0.25m and 0.35m in diameter were clustered together within the entranceway.

Enclosure E11 This enclosure measured externally c50m x c40m with an internal area of 41m by 34m and an east-facing entranceway although only the northern terminal was present within the excavation area. The enclosure was defined by a ditch that was between 2.60m and 3.80m wide and 1.35m and 2.20m deep with a rounded V-shaped profile (Fig 2.17, Section 109). There was limited evidence of a re-cut in some sections that was generally 1.70m wide and between 0.75m and 0.95m deep. Excavated sections through the ditch, particularly at the north-west corner showed that it had been open for an extended period of time, with a number of mid to dark orange brown silty clay secondary fills reflecting seasonal deposition with interleaving deposits of waterlain grey clay and windblown sandy deposits (Fig 2.16). Some fills also demonstrated that the enclosure would have had an internal bank. The internal bank would have been substantial offering a reduced internal area and it was notable that no internal features were found within a 5m easement of the ditch. In one excavated section on the northern arm, the former remnants of a stone revetment were located in the upper backfill (Fig 2.17). The ditch contained initial natural infilling along the base and

Area 2 Area 2 contained a single substantial sub-square ditched enclosure E11 which may be defined as a Wootton Hill type enclosure (Fig 2.16). It was identified during the geophysical survey (Area 2, Fig 1.4). The only internal features comprised a ring gully RG13 that was positioned slightly off centre within the enclosure close to the northern side.

Section 109 S

N 9027

Section 109 9028

9012

N

S

9013

9027

9014

9028

9047

90129033

9046

90139034 9014 9043 9033 9044 9034 9045

9047

9043

0

9044

9011

9046

9011

2m

9045

Figure 2.17 Area 2: Late Iron Age ditched enclosure E11 0

2m

21

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

Figure 2.18 Area 2: Late Iron Age ditched enclosure E11 showing revetment

up the edges presumably from erosion of the sides and overlying this was a much darker grey fill which contained several large stones and cobbles. Further remnants of this stone revetment were identified in an adjacent segment which was partially excavated as it was overlain by post-medieval quarrying activity (Fig 2.35). These elements seriously suggest that this feature belongs to the distinctive Wootton Hill type enclosure, a defended type enclosure characterised by substantial ditches and banks. Another characteristic of these enclosures are elaborate gateways and although the excavation did not reveal the entranceway of the enclosure in its entirety, two large pits between 0.50m and 0.80m in diameter and up to 0.40m deep may have formed gate posts next to the northern terminus. Only a very small assemblage of 19 undiagnostic pottery sherds (91g) was retrieved from the enclosure ditch and one of the entranceway pits. However, the scored decoration on some would suggest a late Iron Age date which again points to it belonging to the Wootton Hill enclosure type.

Section 210 SE

NW 9158

9159

Ring gully RG13

9157

0

A single ring gully RG13 was set inside the substantial sub-rectangular enclosure E11 (Fig 2.16). It was

9156

1m

Figure 2.19 Area 2: Late Iron Age ring gully RG13, looking north

22

The archaeological evidence

pennanular in plan with an internal diameter of c9m and a 2.50m wide east facing entrance. There was evidence for at least one re-cut along the majority of the gully (Fig 2.19). The earlier gully was between 0.70m wide and 0.80m wide and no more than 0.30m deep. This was replaced by a slightly more substantial re-cut that was c0.95m wide and up to 0.50m deep. Both gullies had similar concave profiles with slightly concave bases and a fill of mid grey brown silty clay. The ring gully contained no internal features though a pit truncated the southern terminal of the entranceway and may have been a modification of the entranceway. It was 1.30m in diameter and 0.25m deep with concave sides and base and was infilled with similar material to the roundhouse gully. A total of 120 sherds weighing 1.2kg of Iron Age pottery were recovered from the ring gully (Fig 3.3, 1) with the majority coming from the terminals and pit.

Internally this enclosure contained ring gully RG12 which seemed centrally positioned (Figs 2.20 and 2.22). Ring gully RG12 had been altered on at least one occasion. It comprised an inner, presumably earlier, gully that defined a structure c8m in diameter which was replaced by an outer gully creating a larger internal diameter of c11m. The inner gully had a c4m wide eastfacing entrance while the outer gully had a similarly sized slightly more north-east facing entrance. Both gullies were generally 0.50m wide and no more than 0.15m deep with rounded V-shaped profiles (Fig 2.22, S.173). However, the southern part of the roundhouse as with RG10 was significantly wider at c1.20m and up to 0.75m deep with a similar profile (Fig 2.22 S.183). At this point no distinction between the two gullies could be identified making it seem as though this entire part of the gully was redug. The southern part of the gully was infilled with dark brown grey silty clay while the shallower sections were lighter in colour. Within the ring gully, pit [680] was 1.10m in diameter and c0.10m deep with a shallow concave profile. It contained a deposit of burnt stone and charcoal which may be the remnants of a hearth. A scattering of postholes were located around the entrance. These were between 0.15m and 0.50m in diameter and 0.05m and 0.35m deep with steep sides and flattish bases. They were infilled with material similar to that of the shallower roundhouse gullies. Only 36 late Iron Age pottery sherds (99g) were recovered from the ring gully fills of which 18 sherds came from one of the postholes. A pit and posthole were located in the eastern part of the enclosure. The pit was 0.60m in diameter and 0.18m deep while the posthole was 0.30m by 0.10m. They were both infilled with naturally derived deposits rather than deliberate backfilling.

Area 6 Three enclosures E4, E5 and E10 and four ring gullies RG9, RG10, RG11 and RG12 were identified in the eastern part of Area 6 over an area 100m north to south by c60m east to west (Fig 2.20). Two of the enclosures E4 and E5 contained ring gullies while the northern half of enclosure E5 and enclosure E10 were probably associated with livestock. The four ring gullies presumably defined roundhouses and were positioned in the vicinity of the middle Iron Age ring gully RG14 suggesting that this activity was probably a continuation of the earlier settlement focus (Fig 2.1). Three of the ring gullies RG9, RG10 and RG11 were positioned in an alignment on a north-west to southeast orientation, spaced equidistantly c20m apart while RG12 was located further to the south. Two of the roundhouses RG9 and RG11 were open features while the other two, RG10 and RG12, were situated within ditched enclosures. Late Iron Age pottery was recovered from all of the ring gullies, with ring gullies RG9 and RG11 containing the highest concentrations. Environmental samples taken from RG9, RG11 and RG12 show a cereal assemblage in which barley, rye and wheat were being processed in the area.

Enclosure E10 Sub-square enclosure E10 was located just to the west of enclosure E4. It enclosed an area 12m by 9m with a 1.50m wide north-west entrance. The majority of the north-east and south-west sides were truncated by a later ditch but where it survived on the north-west and south-east it was generally 1.10m wide and up to 0.40m deep with a U-shaped profile and flattish base. The sterile fill comprised mid grey brown silty clay and contained no pottery. Its proximity to roundhouse RG12 and the lack of internal features would suggest that it was utilised as a livestock enclosure.

Enclosure E4 Enclosure E4 was located in the south of the area and was either square or sub-rectangular in plan measuring internally 31m east to west (Figs 2.20 and 2.21). Only the northern side was visible as the southern half of the enclosure was truncated by a Roman enclosure ditch, which had presumably destroyed any existing entrance. Its surviving northern ditch was between 1.40m and 1.80m wide and c0.60m deep with a V-shaped profile. The lower fill of the ditch comprised light orange yellow sandy clay while the upper fills were generally darker and contained 52 late Iron Age pottery sherds (0.27kg).

Enclosure E5 Enclosure E5 was located in the northern part of the area (Fig 2.20). It was oval in plan, measuring internally 22m by 14m with a south-east facing entrance defined by the remnants of a cobbled 23

Scale 1:1250

Area 6: Late Iron Age settlement

Figure 2.20 Area 6: Late Iron Age settlement

24

Fig 2.20

© Crown Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. Licence Number 100047514

0

50m

S173

S150

S183

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

The archaeological evidence

Figure 2.21 Area 6: Late Iron Age enclosure E4, looking south-west

surface. The enclosure had been re-cut on at least three occasions and the final re-cut formed a southern extension that enclosed roundhouse RG10 and defined a 2m wide east facing entranceway. The southern part of the enclosure containing RG10 was 20m by 13m and its western side was truncated by a Roman enclosure ditch. It is suggested that the earlier northern half of the enclosure was utilised for livestock and was later extended to enclose roundhouse RG10.

Section 173 W

E 572

570

573

571

Section 183 W

Roundhouse RG10 was enclosed by a substantial ditch that defined the southern extension to enclosure E5 (Fig 2.23). The ring ditch defining the roundhouse was altered on at least one occasion as it appeared to comprise an earlier gully defining a structure c8.5m internal diameter. This was replaced by a later gully, which formed a slightly larger structure c10m in diameter. The northern side was extended by a c7m long gully that was c0.35m wide and no more than 0.20m deep. In contrast, the southern side was widened to 1.0m and was up to 0.70m deep with a rounded V-shaped profile. The earlier gully seems to have had a wider north-east facing entrance of 7.50m while the later re-cut had a smaller east-facing entrance 4.0m wide. Three postholes were located in a line adjacent to the entrance and were most likely associated with the later recut as at least two of the postholes truncated the earlier gully. They were

E 602

601

604

603

0

0.5m

Figure 2.22 Area 6: Late Iron Age ring gully RG12

c0.60m in diameter and 0.15m deep with shallow concave sides and flattish bases. Both the ring ditch and postholes were infilled with mid grey brown silty clay which contained a small quantity of 39 sherds 25

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

Figure 2.23 Area 6: Late Iron Age ring gully RG10

Figure 2.24 Area 6: Late Iron Age ring gully RG9, looking west

26

The archaeological evidence

Period 4: Early Roman (AD60-AD150)

(73g) of abraded late Iron Age pottery, of which 25 sherds came from one of the postholes.

Introduction

The earliest ditch defining the northern half of enclosure E5 was 0.50m wide and between 0.30m and 0.40m deep with a U-shaped profile. The re-cuts became progressively more substantial with the second re-cut being c0.70m wide and up to 0.55m deep. The final one was between 0.90m and 1.40m wide and up to 0.80m deep with a more V-shaped profile. The earlier ditches were infilled with mid orange brown silty clay while the later re-cut contained naturally derived lower fills overlain by darker upper fills of grey silty clay which contained 14 sherds (198g) of pottery. The only other internal feature was a curvilinear gully aligned northwest to south-east which appeared to define a small area in the northern half of the enclosure. It was c10m long appearing to be truncated at either end and was c0.70m wide and between 0.20m and 0.35m deep with concave sides and base.

Activity assigned to the early Roman period comprises a substantial rectilinear enclosure system located in Area 6 (Fig 2.26). However, the pottery assemblages recovered show that this enclosure system was only utilised during the mid to late 1st to 2nd century AD as there is no evidence for activity beyond the late 2nd century. Sparse features dating to this period within Areas 1, 3, 4 and 5 may relate to another contemporary settlement. Areas 1, 3, 4 and 5 These areas contained only remnants of enclosures defined by parallel ditches aligned generally northeast to south-west and north-west to south-east recorded over an area 240m by 130m (Fig 2.25). The features were poorly defined in the geophysical survey (Fig 1.4) but were recorded in the trench evaluation. The geophysical survey did not identify any related domestic settlement.

Ring gully RG9 RG9 was the northernmost roundhouse in the area. It was pennanular in plan with an internal diameter of c10m and a 4.0m wide east-facing entrance (Fig 2.24). It was cut by one of the Roman enclosure ditches. The gully varied between 0.45m and 0.60m wide and was up to 0.15m deep with a rounded V-shaped profile and slightly concave base. The mid grey brown silty clay infilling contained a moderate quantity of contemporary pottery comprising 104 sherds (0.37kg); the majority of which came from the terminals and the south-east side of the ring gully. One associated feature was identified which appeared to be a shallow depression located on the eastern side of the gully close to the southern entrance terminal which contained a deposit of burnt stones and charcoal.

In Area 1, two parallel ditches [7309] and [7526] aligned north-west to south-east and perpendicular ditch [7112] truncated the earlier Iron Age enclosures and ring gullies. The north-east to south-west ditches terminated to the south leaving a gap 5m to 12m wide with the perpendicular ditch. In the northern half of Area 3, ditch [7058] appeared to define the south-east corner of an enclosure and to the south was ditch [7033] aligned south-east to north-west. A small Roman pottery assemblage of 44 sherds was recovered from the ditch defining the presumed south-east corner. Ditches [7029] and [7031] in Area 4 defined a subdivided field and a scattering of postholes were also identified from which seven Roman pottery sherds were recovered (Fig 3.5, 28). In Area 5, ditch [7027] defined the south-east corner of an enclosure. It continued beyond the baulk to the west and terminated to the north-east where it appeared to have a large pit c2m in diameter constructed. Five sherds of Roman pottery were recovered from the infilling of the pit. The size and profiles of the ditches within these areas was very similar ranging between 0.40m and 1.10m wide and up to 0.50m deep with steep concave profiles.

Ring gully RG11 Unenclosed roundhouse RG11 was the southernmost ring gully and was located in an open area between enclosures E4 and E5 (Fig 2.20). It had an internal diameter of 8.5m with a 2.50m wide east-facing entrance. The gully was between 0.30m and 0.75m wide and c0.30m deep with an asymmetrical V-shaped profile. Four internal postholes were located close to the entrance and seemed to form a line similar to those in the entranceway of RG10. They varied between 0.30m and 0.60m in diameter and were of a similar depth to the gully. The postholes and roundhouse gully were infilled with a deposit of mid grey brown silty clay. A moderate quantity of late Iron Age pottery (69 sherds, weighing 0.40kg), was found in the gully terminals of which 60 came from a single decorated jar or bowl (Fig 3.3,2).

Area 6 The main enclosure system was located in Area 6 which lay approximately 0.5km to the south-west of Areas 1, 3, 4 and 5. It comprised a well-planned enclosure system with linked routeways and several paddocks. There were at least two main sequences of activity defined by enclosures E15 and E16 respectively (Figs 2.26). The initial phase comprised a large enclosure E15, 27

7112

Figure 2.25 Areas 1, 3, 4 and 5: Early Roman activity

28

© Crown Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. Licence Number 100047514

0

7027

50m

7029

7309

7031

7526

7058

7033

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

The archaeological evidence

which contained several smaller internal enclosures. A routeway linked the large enclosure with a smaller system of paddocks enclosures to the south and another single external enclosure. Superseding this was a subsequent phase defined by enclosure E16 which also displayed internal divisions. It shows a slight eastwards shift in activity and a seemingly less well planned enclosure system. However, it is possible that the earlier routeway was still utilised.

Several other ditches were observed within this large enclosure that would have defined internal subdivisions and of these E8, E18 and E19 were the most clearly defined (Fig 2.27). None of these enclosures contained any internal features. Square enclosure E18 was situated in the south-west corner of enclosure E15 and was 22m in size (484 m2 internally). It utilised enclosure ditch E15 on its north-west and south-west sides and the ditch assigned to E8 defined the south-east side. A northern limit was identified that was similar in size and profile to the south-east ditch. Beyond this was a parallel ditch which together may have defined a small paddock. An entranceway c2m wide was located to the east allowing access into an adjacent enclosure E19.

It is likely that elements of the Iron Age settlement were still visible in the landscape at this time and influenced the layout and location of at least part of this rectilinear field system. In particular, the southern limit of enclosure E16 appears to follow that of the previous enclosure E4. Located on the south-western edge of Area 6 were another series of enclosures E12, E13 and E14 which were laid out in a more defined ladder pattern. The remnants of a routeway defined by parallel ditches presumably allowed access north to south between the enclosures. A wattle-lined well was located to the north-west of these enclosures. The layout of these enclosures would indicate that this was an agricultural landscape comprising fields and paddocks. However, the quantities of pottery recovered, in particular from the ladder enclosures, would indicate that a domestic settlement may have been situated elsewhere possibly to the west beyond the smaller enclosures as they clearly extend in that direction.

Sub-rectangular enclosure E19 was 60m long east to west and 35m wide north to south. As with enclosure E18, it utilised the ditches of enclosure E15 as its southern and eastern limits. A northern limit was identified which had a 2.50m wide opening into enclosure E15 to the north. Lying between enclosures E18 and E19 was a smaller sub-square enclosure E8. It had an internal diameter of 10m and was defined on all sides by a ditch varying between 0.90m and 1.10m wide and 0.20m to 0.30m deep with a steep sided, concave profile and slightly concave base. Its fill of mid grey brown sandy clay fill contained no artefacts. The majority of the pottery recovered came from ditch segments close to the internal enclosure E8. There was a noticeable wider variety of pottery forms recovered from this particular enclosure implying that perhaps it had more of a domestic function than the others.

Initial phase of enclosure system E15 A large enclosure E15 around 80m (east to west) by 75m in size was defined on the north-west, south-west and south-east sides by a continuous ditch. The eastern side had been modified on a number of occasions with at least three ditches identified (Fig 2.27). No northern limit was visible within the excavation area. The enclosure ditch truncated the Iron Age enclosure E10 and was between 1.8m and 2.4m wide and up to 0.60m deep with a rounded V-shaped profile (Fig 2.28). As it continued to the south-east it narrowed to c1.0m wide and was up to 0.40m deep with a more concave profile. It was infilled with mid grey brown silty clay overlain by a slightly darker secondary fill. There was evidence of at least two re-cuts on its north-west side and a double line of stake holes were seen along its base, possibly indicating that a palisade fence was present in the latest re-cut of the ditch (Fig 2.29). The southeastern corner had been modified and it appears as though there was originally a c1m wide entranceway that was later blocked. A large quantity of 587 sherds (7258g) of late 1st to 2nd century pottery (Table 3.14) was recovered from the infilling (Fig 3.3, 4-5 and Fig 3.4, 11-22). Fragments of fired clay including those from a hearth base and forge furniture appeared to derive from a structure such as a forge or kiln (see Crothers, Chapter 3).

Another possible paddock abutted the southern side of enclosure E15, on the opposing side of enclosure E8. It was defined by an L-shaped ditch with an opening to the west and enclosed an area 12.5m long and 6.5m wide. Routeway 1 A north-east to south-west routeway was located on the western side of enclosure E15 and was presumably used to control the movement of livestock to a well located to the north, a series of smaller paddock enclosures to the west and external enclosure E9 to the east. The routeway was defined by intermittent parallel ditches that were recorded for more than 140m across Area 6. Two parallel ditches c8m apart defined the southern part with only one ditch surviving to the north. The ditches were not continuous as they terminated in at least two places creating entranceways of between 7m and 12m to allow access to the outer enclosures and well. Where surviving, the ditches defining the routeway were 0.50m to 1.0m wide and between 0.30m and 0.40m deep with concave sides and a flattish base. A small assemblage of 84 sherds of pottery (1078g) was recovered from its infilling (Fig 3.5, 24-25), (Table 3.16). 29

Scale 1:1250

Area 6: Early Roman settlement

Figure 2.26 Area 6: Early Roman settlement

30

Fig 2.26

© Crown Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. Licence Number 100047514

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50m

S134

S141

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

Scale 1:1250

Area 6: Initial early Roman settlement

Figure 2.27 Area 6: Early Roman settlement initial phase

31

Fig 2.27

© Crown Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. Licence Number 100047514

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50m

S134

E15

The archaeological evidence

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm Enclosure E9

it is unknown if an entrance was located at the south-west corner. The ditch was 1.10m to 1.40m wide and between Sub-square enclosure E9 was located on the southern 0.40m and 0.50m deep with steep sides and a concave side of enclosure ditch E15 and the possible paddock, to base. The western side of the ditch showed evidence of a the east of the routeway. Following its excavation, this re-cut. This re-cut was c1.25m wide and 0.35m deep with enclosure was found to enclose an internal area of 13m a similar profile. The only internal feature identified was with the ditch surviving on the north, east and south sides. a pit adjacent to the north-west side of the enclosure. It The west side was partially truncated by a later furrow so was 0.85m in diameter and 0.30m deep. Both the pit and enclosure ditch were infilled with similar material that contained 83 sherds (1154g) of late 1st to 2nd century pottery Section 134 (Table 3.9). Located c2m to the SW NE south of enclosure E9 was another ditch. It was parallel to the southern side of the enclosure and 456 terminated to the west, near to the possible enclosure entrance. At its terminal was a large pit 457 [316] which was 2.0m in diameter 458 and 0.38m deep with steep sides and a flat base. Environmental samples taken from the pit appear 0.5m 0 to indicate that crop processing occurred in the vicinity of the enclosure (Table 4.4). Figure 2.28 Area 6: Early Roman ditched enclosure E15

Figure 2.29 Area 6: Early Roman ditched enclosure E15 showing re-cuts and stake holes

32

The archaeological evidence

Enclosures E12, E13 and E14

Sequential alterations had been made to this part of the system with some redefining of the enclosure ditches and a change in alignment that was the same as enclosure E16 and these later alterations are likely to be associated with the second phase of the enclosures to the north-east. A later ditch truncated earlier enclosure E12 and to the north, two new enclosures E22 and E23 were created. Presumably elements of this part of the system continued to the west beyond the excavation area (Fig 2.30). The only feature associated with these enclosures was pit [113] which appeared to truncate the southern terminal defining the entrance to enclosure E12. This pit was c1.50m in diameter and 0.45m deep with concave sides and a slightly concave base. It was infilled with dark orange grey silty clay that contained occasional charcoal flecks and pottery.

Located on the south-west edge of Area 6 were subrectangular enclosures E12, E13 and E14 (Figs 2.27 and 2.30). These enclosures were laid out in a more defined ladder pattern than the enclosures to the northwest and were on a similar north-east to south-west alignment as enclosure E15. They all enclosed small areas and the lack of internal features would suggest they were possibly paddocks. Enclosures E12 and E14 were of a similar size with internal widths of 10m and 11m. Enclosure E13 was slightly larger at 14m. They had east-facing entrances c1.0m wide sited in their north-east corners. The exception was E14 which had a wider northern entrance defined only by a surviving western terminal as the opposing one was truncated by a furrow. This northern entranceway would have allowed access to the routeway. The ditches were of a similar width between 0.80m and 1.0m and 0.25m and 0.45m deep with steep-sided profiles and flattish bases and the majority of the ditches were infilled with a single deposit of mid orange grey silty clay. The ditch defining enclosure E12 contained an orange brown silty clay lower infilling overlain by a darker upper fill. Moderate quantities of late 1st to 2nd century pottery totalling 458 sherds (5964g) (Fig 3.3, 6-10) were found within all three enclosures suggesting occupation lay nearby (Tables 3.11-3.13).

Second phase of enclosure system E16 Alterations were made to the enclosure system which saw a minor shift eastwards with the construction of an irregular enclosure E16 that was slightly pentagonal in plan (Fig 2.31). The enclosure was on a slightly different orientation to the previous system and was 84m long and 55m. It was defined by a continuous ditch which appears to have utilised the earlier Iron Age layout as part of it followed the line of former enclosure E4, re-cutting its eastern, western and southern sides. The ditch varied along its length between 1.0m and 1.7m wide and was

Figure 2.30 Area 6: Early Roman ladder enclosures E12, E13 and E14, looking south-west

33

Scale 1:1250

Area 6: Early Roman settlement second phase

Figure 2.31 Area 6: Early Roman settlement second phase

34

Fig 2.31

© Crown Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. Licence Number 100047514

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S141

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

The archaeological evidence

between 0.60m and 0.85m deep with a V-shaped profile (Fig 2.32). A sequence of mid orange brown sandy silt primary infilling, mid brown grey silty clay secondary fills and darker tertiary fills were identified along its length from which a small pottery assemblage of 92 sherds (519g) was recovered (Table 3.15) (Fig 3.5, 23).

enclosures E17 and E20. Enclosure E20 was 22m long and 18m wide with a 2m wide entranceway allowing access into enclosure E17 which was 32m long and 18m wide with a 15m wide opening to the east. An external subrectangular enclosure E7 was located on the north-west side of enclosure E16. It truncated earlier roundhouse RG9. Its north-west, south-west and north-east sides were defined by a continuous ditch and it utilised enclosure E16 as its south-east side. Enclosing an internal area 20m by 15m, it had a terminal in the south-east corner forming an entrance 1.50m wide. The enclosure ditch was between 0.90m and 1.25m SW wide and up to 0.30m deep. It had a shallow concave profile and slightly concave base with mid grey brown silty clay fill from which a small assemblage of late Iron Age pottery sherds were recovered from where the ditch truncated the earlier roundhouse.

The enclosure contained an internal partition which subdivided the north-west part creating two smaller Section 141 NE

478

479 480

0

481

0.5m

Figure 2.32 Area 6: Early Roman ditched enclosure E16

Alterations were also made to the smaller enclosures to the south. Two new enclosures E22 and E23 were constructed at its northern extent, again on a slightly different alignment to the previous enclosure E14 reflecting the same change in alignment as seen with enclosure E16 to the east. Modifications were also made to the

Figure 2.33 Area 6: Early Roman wattle-lined well [222]

35

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

0

250m

OS OpenData contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018

Scale 1:5000

Medieval furrow

Site location

Post-med quarrying

Mitigation area

Medieval field systems and post-medieval quarrying in Areas 1 to 6 Figure 2.34 Medieval field systems and post-medieval quarrying in Areas 1 to 6

36

Fig 2.34

The archaeological evidence

southern half of the system which altered enclosure E23 making it larger in size. Parallel and 2.70m to the south of this was an east to west aligned ditch which was visible for 37m and appeared to obstruct/block the southern extent of the routeway. To the west it continued beyond the limit of excavation and presumably terminated to the east though no clearly defined terminal was observed as this area was affected by medieval furrows.

but relatively few other species (Table 4.4). This shows that the surrounding area comprised rough grassland as well as pasture (see Fryer, Chapter 4). Period 5: Medieval to post-medieval Open field system In Areas 1, 3, 5 and 6 remnants of ridge and furrow cultivation were identified (Fig 2.34). In Area 5, two distinct alignments of furrows were identified presumably separated by a headland. A northern field system was defined by north-east to south-west aligned furrows while to the south they were orientated northwest to south-east. Only the furrows were noted as the ridges had been completely levelled by intense modern agricultural farming. The furrows were spaced roughly 4m apart and were between 1.50m and 2.20m wide and up to 0.40m deep. A few were excavated and the fills consisted of a sterile mid orange-brown silty clay. A mix of finds dating from the 16th to 19th century was located within the furrow fills. Other recent work in the area identified ridge and furrow in the landscape within the open fields associated with the medieval settlements of Daventry (Markus 2016).

Wattle-lined well Located c60m to the north of enclosure E14, on the north-west side of the main enclosure system, was a wattle-lined well [222] (Fig 2.33). It had a diameter of 3m and was 0.95m deep with near vertical sides and a flat base. Well-preserved wattle survived below the water table in the lower 0.25m (Fig 2.30). The lower half of the well had become infilled with dark grey brown sandy silt which contained several large stones possibly while still in use. This was overlain by mid brown grey silty clay. This well is likely to be associated with the field system in particular with paddock enclosures E12, E13 and E14 to the south. Environmental samples 1 and 7 taken from the primary infilling contain evidence of large quantities of wetland herbs growing in the vicinity

Figure 2.35 Post-medieval quarrying in Area 2

37

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm Post-medieval quarry pits

deep. The fills comprised redeposited soil and natural material and contained a variety of pottery, tile and glass all of 19th-century date. The quarrying appears to be small scale and is most probably related to the farmstead c120m to the west.

A cluster of intercutting quarry pits was excavated on the north-western region of Area 2 (Fig 2.34). The quarry pits cut enclosure E11 and were up to 1.30m

38

Chapter 3

Finds Worked Flint by Yvonne Wolframm-Murray

Included in the assemblage were four greenstone axe fragments and one possible flint adze fragment. The greenstone fragments have all some polished surface remaining on the dorsal surface. The largest flake came from the edge of an axe and may have been knapped from a larger axe fragment. The possible flint adze fragment is bi-facially flaked across both surfaces giving the implement a lozenge cross section.

Area 6 In total 151 pieces of worked flint were recovered, of these 86 were recovered from Area 6 (Table 3.1) and 65 were residual in other features of later date in Areas 1 to 5 (Table 3.4). The majority of the flint in Area 6 came from the early Neolithic pit [356] (Table 3.2) with a smaller assemblage from adjacent pit [359] (Table 3.3) (Fig 2.1). The worked flint from pits [356] and [359] are contemporary with the accompanying early Neolithic pottery in addition to the radiocarbon date obtained of the early Neolithic. The flint comprised 47 flakes, 18 blades, four pieces of shatter/fragments; five axe/ adze fragments, two arrowhead fragments, one scraper fragments, one serrated blade and eight pieces of debitage weighing 0.6g. The assemblage was dominated by flakes and blades. Of the 47 flakes eleven were broken and two burnt, and of the 18 blades seven were broken and one burnt. Possible retouch was present on one flake along one lateral edge and the proximal end. Small removals indicating utilisation were present on three flakes. There are also five pieces of shatter/ fragments. .

The diagnostic tools are too fragmented to give very precise dates and the arrowhead fragments are too small to assert whether they are early Neolithic leaf arrowheads or later Neolithic/early Bronze Age barbed and tanged arrowheads. The scraper fragment dates broadly to the Neolithic and Greenstone and flint axes were produced throughout the Neolithic. The possible flaked flint adze would be more typical of the early Neolithic and the probable serrated blade would be indicative of an early Neolithic component in the assemblage. Raw material and condition The raw material is mostly vitreous flint of light to dark greys and browns, probably from local gravel deposits. There were also the occasional light and mid brown more granular flints. Light to dark brown cortex was present on just under half of the flint artefacts. There were also three pieces of fine-grained volcanic tuft of Group VI from Langdale, Cumbria present in the assemblage. The condition of the artefacts is good to moderate with some artefacts displaying occasional to frequent edge damage, which can obscure potential utilisation scars and retouch. Patination is present on six pieces, varying from a slight grey-blue discolouration of the surface to a complete white or grey discolouration. Five flakes and one blade were burnt, identifiable through thermal fracturing and crazing, patination and potlids.

Tool forms included two arrowhead fragments. These were too small to be indicative of type with certainty; however the larger fragment could be a leaf-shaped arrowhead. They were both bi-facially invasively retouched and one had been burnt. A possible serrated blade was also recovered, which had small regular removals on one lateral edge near the proximal end but the remainder was obscured by edge damage. A burnt scraper fragment was also recovered, however the spalling and fragmentation due to the heat has obscured some of the abrupt retouches on the distal end.

Table 3.1 Quantification of worked flint in Area 6 Description Flake Blade Shatter/fragment Adze fragment Axe fragment Arrowhead fragment Scraper Serrated blade Debitage Total

Whole 33 9 6 48

Fragment 11 7 4 1 4 1 1

Retouched 1 -

29

1

39

Burnt 2 2 1 1 2 8

Total 47 18 4 1 4 2 1 1 8 (0.6g) 86

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm Pit [356]

represent later reworking of an axe. Five blades or microblades are struck from prepared cores, and there are two serrated blades, one with irregular serrations on both edges and another where the serrated edge has been heavily worn. There are fragments from the body and the tip of two finely-worked arrowheads, with bi-facial invasive retouch. The quality of the work suggests that they are from leaf arrowheads, both of elongated forms with fine points. There is also part of a scraper, which has fragmented as a result of burning. The characteristics of this assemblage suggest an early Neolithic date and possibly represent the deposition of knapping debris and utilised flakes and implements.

Of the 54 pieces from this pit, there is a large group of knapping debris comprising irregular chunks and flakes that have not been classified individually (Table 3.2). There are also five pieces of burnt natural flint and some of the worked flint was also burnt. Diagnostic pieces include three fine-grained flakes from a polished stone axe, probably the volcanic tuff of Group VI from Langdale, Cumbria. The largest flake retains part of a flat edge facet, which is characteristic of Langdale axes. There is also a fragment probably from near the butt end of a polished flint axe or adze. The polished greenstone axe fragments could

Table 3.2 Catalogue of flint from pit [356] Flake/Blade

Portion

Tool

Period

Flake

Distal

Scraper fragment Neolithic

Flake Blade Flake Flake Blade Flake Flake Flake Blade Flake Flake Shatter Flake Flake Flake Blade Flake Blade Flake Flake Shatter Shatter Shatter Flake Blade Flake Fragment Flake Blade

Whole Whole Whole Whole Distal Whole Medial Medial Whole Whole Whole Whole Whole Whole Whole Whole Whole Whole Whole Proximal Whole Whole Whole Distal

-

-

Axe fragment Axe fragment Axe fragment -

Neolithic Neolithic Neolithic -

Flake

Proximal

Arrowhead tip

Neolithic

Flake/Blade

Portion

Flake

Medial

Flake Flake Blade

Whole Whole Whole

Tool Arrowhead fragment -

Period Early Neolithic -

Comments Burnt; thermal fracturing and crazing, potlids; patinated white post-depositional edge damage cortical striking platform cortical striking platform; hinge termination overshot termination Burnt; thermal fractures and crazing; patinated white polished surface some polished surface burnt; thermal fracturing; patinated white burnt; bi-facially invasively retouched to a point; potlid; patinated white/grey Comments bi-facially invasively retouch – thin; possibly leaf-shaped arrowhead Burnt; thermal fracturing and crazing; patinated grey -

40

Finds

Flake Blade Blade Flake

Whole Whole Whole Whole

-

Blade

Medial

Serrated blade

Blade

Proximal

-

Flake

-

Adze fragment

Flake Flake Blade Flake Flake Blade Blade Flake

Whole Distal Medial Whole Whole Medial Proximal Whole

utilised -

Early Neolithic Early Neolithic -

small regular removals on one lateral edge towards proximal end; edge damage tip of an adze; bi-facial removals post-depositional edge damage utilisation of one lateral edge Burnt; thermal fracturing and pot lids; white patinated -

-

Pit [359]

three scrapers, three retouched pieces, one possible arrowhead, and one notched piece.

A much smaller assemblage comprising knapping debris was recovered from pit [359] (Table 3.3).

The condition of the artefacts is good to moderate with some artefacts displaying the occasional to frequent nicks of the edges. Occasionally the edge damage could obscure potential utilisation scars and miscellaneous retouch. Patination is present on two pieces, which were a slight grey-blue discolouration of the surface and a complete white discolouration of the

Areas 1-5 In total 65 pieces of worked flint were recovered as residual finds found within later features. The flint comprised two cores, 47 flakes, 11 blades,

Table 3.3 Catalogue of flint from pit [359] Flake/Blade

Portion

Tool

Period

Flake

Proximal

utilised

-

Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Blade Flake debitage

Whole Whole Proximal Medial Proximal Whole Whole -

-

-

Comments small edge removals down one lateral edge - possible utilisation flaw in raw material 8 pieces; 0.6g; 2of the pieces white and burnt

Figure 3.1 Flake from polished stone axe, showing flat facet, left and finely worked, broken flint arrowheads, right, all from early Neolithic pit [356]

41

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm Table 3.4 Quantification of worked flint as residual finds from Areas 1-5 Description

Whole

Fragment

Retouched

Burnt

Total

Core

2

-

-

-

2

Flake

30

13

3

1

47

Blade

9

2

-

-

11

Scraper

3

-

-

-

3

Poss. arrowhead

1

-

-

-

1

Notched

1

-

-

-

1

Total

46

15

3

1

65

surface. A flake was accidently burnt, notable through thermal crazing.

of a later date. One of the flakes may represent an oblique arrowhead, which is also typical of the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age period. A small earlier Neolithic component was indicated by two soft hammer struck blades, one heavily patinated.

The raw material is mostly light to dark grey-brown and occasionally grey vitreous flints with a light to dark brown and infrequently grey cortex. There are also eight light to mid grey opaque to granular flints. The raw material is likely to comprise local gravel deposits. Two flake cores were recovered with multiple striking platforms. They are small in size and only one core shows some platform preparation.

The Neolithic pottery by Andy Chapman From the upper fill (354) of pit [356] there are 12 sherds of hand-made pottery weighing 60g. An additional four small sherds and crumbs, weighing 5g, are sandy grey wares of Roman date and match the larger group of Roman pottery from adjacent pit [359]. Of the 12 handmade sherds, there are nine sherds with a grey core, a grey internal surface and a dark red-brown external surface in a sandy fabric containing dense rounded pieces of quartz, 1-4mm across. Three sherds have a grey core and inner surface and an orange external surface, in a fabric containing angular quartz. These are all plain body sherds, but the fabrics are unlike the typical fabrics seen in late Bronze Age and Iron Age assemblages in the county. The presence of four flakes from a polished stone axe and other flints, with a total of 47 pieces, suggests that the pit may be of Neolithic date, with the pottery coming from Neolithic bowl forms.

The majority of the assemblage consists of waste flakes and blades. Of the 47 flakes 16 are broken, and of the 11 blades two are broken. There are numerous flakes with a cortical striking platform. There are also occasional flakes with hinge or overshot termination present. There is also a squat flakes. Two flakes have small removals along the edge indicating possible utilisation. Three scrapers were recovered from the features. A thumbnail scraper was manufactured on a flake through semi-abrupt retouch around one lateral edge, distal end and partially around the other lateral edge. A discoidal scraper was fabricated on a flake through abrupt retouch around its entire circumference and a third scraper was manufactured from a disused core; there are smaller abrupt removals around the edges to form the tool. One flake had bi-facial retouch forming a hollow and point at the broken edge of the proximal end. The tip of this flake had also damage. A blade with a notch in one lateral edge and possible signs of utilisation on the opposing lateral edge was also recovered. Possible retouch was detected on one flake and two blades, but this was obscured by postdepositional edge damage.

The upper fill (357) of pit [359] contained eight sherds, weighing 35g, from hand-built vessels. There are three sherds with a grey core and inner surface and a light brown external surface in the sandy fabric containing dense rounded pieces of quartz, with the largest 9mm long. There are a further five sherds in a softer sandy fabric with pitted surfaces, which are probably pottery rather than fired clay. Given the lack of form and decoration it is not possible to date this material by fabric alone. However, the associated flints and polished stone axe fragment suggest a Neolithic date. In addition were five sherds weighing 35g, from wheel-finished greyware vessels of Roman date. A radiocarbon date on charcoal from fill (357) produced an early Neolithic date of 3631-3373 BC at 95.4% probability (Beta-479939) (Fig 3.2).

Technological characteristics of the assemblage indicate a large component of a late Neolithic/ early Bronze Age date. The cores, scrapers, and the characteristics of the flakes with cortical striking platforms, terminations and squat form are indicative 42

Finds

Figure 3.2 The radiocarbon determination

Iron Age and Roman pottery by Rob Perrin

recovered from features in Areas 1 and 2 is predominantly late Iron Age in date. Areas 3, 4 and 5 produced only small assemblages of Roman pottery. Area 6 produced assemblages of both late Iron Age and Roman pottery associated with contemporary activity while some of the Roman features contained residual late Iron Age pottery.

Overview The excavations produced an assemblage of 1646 sherds of Iron Age pottery weighing nearly 10.2kg with an estimated vessel equivalent (EVE), based on rims, of 3.25 were recovered and an assemblage of 1457 of Roman pottery weighing 17.8 kg with an EVE of 15. This assemblage spans the transition from the late Iron Age and early Roman period with the majority being of late 1st to 2nd century date. It consists of predominantly locally produced material with very few continental sherds. The pottery was deposited in different feature types comprising mainly ditches, gullies, pits and postholes. The pottery

The Iron Age pottery Fabrics and sources The key characteristics of the Iron Age pottery are that the clay appears to have not been prepared particularly well giving a hackly, ‘open’ texture. The pottery is predominately hand-made and evidence of coiling is apparent on some vessels. The main inclusions appear to 43

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm Roundhouses and ancillary features

be poorly-sorted sand, but some sherds have flint, shell or grog temper and some have mixed temper. The hardness of the pottery varies, but it is generally fired to a lower temperature and can sometimes be friable. The colours are buff, reddish-yellow, brown, dark brown and reddishbrown and the firing conditions sometimes resulted in variable surface or core colours. It can be difficult to tell whether an Iron Age vessel is a jar or a bowl. Most of the vessels are neckless and globular with an upright rim and often a definite ‘shoulder’. Vertical and/or diagonal scoring is present on a number of sherds and one vessel has curvilinear scoring and another external rilling. One vessel has diagonal incised cuts on the rim while some vessels have external wipe marks. The pottery is almost certainly of local production and most dates from the 1st century BC to the early 1st century AD, though the flintgritted pottery is probably earlier.

Area 1 Ring gully RG1 contained three pottery sherds. Thirtyfour sherds occur in ring gully RG2. No pottery was recovered from ring gullies RG3 and RG4. Ring gully RG5 contained 10 sherds including a jar or bowl with an upright plain rim and shoulder. Ring gully RG6 has just five sherds but RG7 has an assemblage of 84 sherds. Ring gully RG8 contains the most pottery with 187 sherds. The majority, 144 were found in the gullies, including five sherds from a jar or bowl with curvilinear scoring and 96 sherds from five vessels – two jars or bowls with upright plain rims, one of which is large and neckless with a thick rim and the other has a distinct shoulder and three jars or bowls with upright flattened rims. Three of the eight sherds are flint-gritted, as are four of 11 sherds in pit [7324] and the only sherd in posthole [7423]; the other sherds in pit [7324] have a smoothed surface. Twentytwo sherds in pit [7427] include a jar or bowl with an upright plain rim which has traces of diagonal slashes.

The features The main features containing pottery are ring gullies (RG) and enclosures (E). Table 3.5 gives the amounts of pottery per feature.

Area 2

Table 3.5 Late Iron Age pottery by feature group quantification Group

No Sherds Weight (g)

Rim EVE

Vessels

RG1

3

27

-

-

RG2

34

77

-

-

RG5

10

54

0.12

1J/B

RG6

5

16

-

-

RG7

84

584

-

-

RG8

187

1583

0.64

1J; 6J/B

RG9

104

371

0.04

1J; 1J/B

RG10

39

73

-

-

RG11

69

400

0.22

2J/B

RG12

36

99

0.14

1J/B

RG13

120

1203

0.08

1J/B

E1

12

66

-

-

E2

184

1475

0.57

1I; 5J/B

E3

187

736

0.07

1J/B

E4

52

272

-

-

E5

14

198

-

-

E7

48

221

0.15

1J/B

E9

1

14

0.06

1J

E11

19

91

-

-

E13

64

410

-

-

E15

3

67

0.50

2J

E16

18

167

0.23

3J

E17

1

11

-

-

Total

1294

8215

2.82

Ring gully RG13 contained 120 sherds including a shouldered jar or bowl with an upright plain rim showing traces of possible diagonal cuts or indentations and scored decoration (Fig 3.3, 1). Area 6 Ring gully RG9 contained the largest assemblage from Area 6 and included small sherds mainly from a neckless jar with a plain rim and one from a jar or bowl with an upright plain rim. The pottery from RG10 comprised 39 sherds with most, 25, coming from a posthole; these sherds are small and friable. The gullies and postholes associated with RG11 together contained 69 sherds. The gullies contained 60 sherds from a neckless jar or bowl with a plain rim and incised diagonal lines (Fig 3.3, 2). Ring gully RG12 contained 36 sherds with three in the gully coming from a neckless jar or bowl with a plain rim and 18 sherds from a posthole are all small pieces. Enclosures Area 1 Enclosure E1 contained 12 pottery sherds. The pottery assemblage from enclosure E2 comprised 184 sherds which included 34 sherds from one jar or bowl with an upright bead rim and two jars or bowls with upright flattened rims. A further 58 sherds coming from a bead-rimmed neckless jar with diagonal cut marks and scoring below the shoulder (Fig 3.3, 3) and 25 sherds including a jar or bowl with an upright plain rim and another jar or bowl with an upright everted rim and

KEY: J=Jar: J/B=Jar/bowl

44

Finds

an internal ledge or lid-seating. One of the sherds is shell-gritted with the remainder being undiagnostic sherds. Enclosure E3 contained 187 undiagnostic sherds apart from a jar or bowl with an upright, flattened rim presumably mid to late Iron Age in date in pit [7529] and a flint-gritted sherd in one of the ditches.

Samian ware sherd with an orange fabric of uncertain source (Table 3.6). The regionally-traded fabrics comprise a sherd of Oxfordshire red-slipped ware (OXF RS) and a sherd of possible Lower Nene Valley colour-coated ware (LNV CC). Grog-tempered ware was produced in both the late Iron Age and Roman periods. The hardness of this pottery varies, as do the colours (buff, pink, reddish-yellow, reddish-brown, brown, dark brown, dark grey). Hard buff to cream grog-tempered ware, often with a grey core, is a common fabric locally and the pink to buff grog-tempered ware could be the fabric known as ‘soft pink grog-tempered ware’ (PNK GT). Some of reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware might also be a PNK GT variant; both this and the pink to buff grog-tempered ware also often have a grey core and sometimes a distinctive black grog temper. The other fabrics are all quartz sand-tempered and occur in a range of colours. Most of these fabrics contain varying amounts of mica.

Area 2 Enclosure ditches belonging to the ‘Wootton Hill type’ enclosure E11 contained pottery comprising 19 undiagnostic sherds, although some have scored decoration. Area 6 Three ditches assigned to enclosure E4 and one to enclosure E5 contains 52 and 14 sherds, respectively, with some of those from the latter showing traces of coiling. None of the ditches associated with enclosure E10 have any pottery.

The nearest known Roman kilns are at Whilton and Long Buckby, some 10 to 15 kilometres to the northeast of Daventry (Swan 1984, 145-6), but the site is only a short distance to the west of the Roman town of Bannaventa which had direct road connections to the Northampton area (Margary 1967, 187, road 17), where there are numerous Roman kilns (Swan 1984, map 14), and to the north and south via Watling Street (Margary 1967, 184, road 1f) along which goods would have been transported. A few sherds show signs of warping which might suggest more local production. Some of the buffpink ware pottery has a gritty fabric and might be of Verulamium-region (VER WH) or Upper Nene Valley (UNV WH) origin. Three sherds in buff-brown ware have a red colour-coat and may be a Rushden (Woods and Hastings 1984) product, or from an unknown, more local, source. Kilns at Stowe, Buckinghamshire are one source for PNK GT and studies have shown that Bannaventa is in the ‘heartland’ area of usage for this fabric (Booth and Green 1989, Taylor 2004).

Iron Age pottery from Roman features Enclosure E13 has 64 sherds, some with deep vertical scoring and enclosure E15 has three rim sherds from two neckless globular jars, one with an everted rim and the other with a lid-seated rim and external rilling (Fig 3.3, 4 and 5). Enclosure E16 contains 18 sherds including a neckless jar with a plain rim and possible external wipe-marks and enclosure E17 has one sherd. The Roman pottery Introduction An assemblage of 1457 sherds of Roman pottery weighing just over 17.8kg and with an estimated vessel equivalent (EVE), based on rims, of 15 was recovered from 125 contexts in 116 features. Seventy-three of the features are ditches, 20 gullies, 13 pits and four postholes. The pottery was recorded using simple fabric classifications, based on principal inclusion or firing technique and traded wares are classified according to the National Roman Fabric Reference Collection (Tomber and Dore 1998). The pottery is in reasonable condition, although the surfaces are often abraded and powdery. Five vessels are represented by numerous sherds and some sherds are burnt or sooted. It should be noted that the division between Iron Age and Roman pottery is not always clear or certain with a number of fabrics, especially grog-tempered ware, some shellgritted ware and various lower-fired sandy wares.

Forms The vessel types were recorded using simple form codes. Around 112 vessels were recorded based on rims and characteristic sherds from apparently different vessels. Of this nominal 112, around 75% are jars of various types and 14% bowls and dishes. Table 3.7 gives the occurrence of forms per fabric. The LGF SA bowls are a Drag. 29 or 30 and a Drag. 30 and the dish in the samian ware of uncertain origin is a Drag. 18 or 18/31. The possible LNV CC vessel is an indented beaker with a grey colour-coat and the OXF RS mortarium has multi-coloured trituration grits. The reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware jars include some of storage-size and the bowl is a wide-mouthed vessel with a lid-seated rim. Some of the grog-tempered jars

Fabrics and sources The only pottery of continental manufacture is sherds of South Gaulish Samian ware (LGF SA) and another 45

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm are storage-type and others have lid-seated rims; one of the jars or bowls is a carinated vessel. The grey ware and dark grey ware jars have lid-seated, curved, bead

and everted rims and are often decorated with a variety of neck, shoulder and girth cordons and grooves; one has applied ‘Rustic’ style decoration. The dishes have plain rims and are either curved-sided or have internal ledges reminiscent of Gallo-Belgic types. The jars or beakers have bead rims and one has a long neck. The reddish-yellow ware jars have the same range of rims as those in grey ware; one with an inverted rim appears to have indents and may once have been mica-dusted. The bowl or dish is a campanulate type and a reddishyellow ware sherd with a white external slip may be from a flagon. The buff ware flagons include one with a ring-neck and a four-ribbed handle; it also has a surface ‘wash’ of a darker colour. The buff ware mortarium is a bead and flange type with flint trituration grits and may be VER WH. The beaker is a carinated type with a plain, externally grooved, rim and a girth cordon and the bowl is a wide vessel with an everted, externally grooved, rim. The buff-brown colour-coated ware vessel is a straight-sided, carinated bowl with a bead rim. External rilling is present on a number of the jars in buff-pink, dark grey, pink grog-tempered and reddishyellow wares and neck grooves, neck/shoulder cordons and shoulder cordons occur on some of the grey, dark grey and grog-tempered jars.

Table 3.6 Roman pottery fabric quantification Fabric

No Sherds Weight (g)

Rim EVE

LGF SA

5

76

0.05

SA

1

11

0.02

LNV CC?

1

7

-

OXF RS

1

16

-

Grog

274

3943

1.36

Grog, hard cream

19

202

0.07

Grog, pinkish-buff

5

141

-

Grog, reddish-yellow

45

1863

1.06

Grey

581

6524

7.59

Dark grey

197

1845

1.36

Brown

2

233

0.18

Dark brown

14

34

-

Reddish-brown

49

311

0.42

Dark reddish-brown

72

484

0.5

Reddish-yellow

87

629

1.04

Light red

16

188

-

Buff, pink

85

1294

1.23

Buff-brown CC

3

22

0.14

1457

17823

15.02

Total

Date Collectively, the areas investigated appear to suggest continuous occupation from at least the Iron Age into the Roman period, albeit with a change in the focus of

Table 3.7 Roman vessel forms per fabric Fabric

Jar

J/B

J/BKR

B

D

B/D

BKR

F

L

M

Total

LGF

-

-

-

SA

-

-

-

2

-

1

-

-

-

-

3

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

LNV CC?

-

-

OXF RS

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Grog

13

Grog, hard cream

1

3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

16

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Grog, pinkish-buff

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Grog, reddish-yellow

8

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

9

Grey

30

-

2

1

4

2

-

-

-

-

39

Dark grey

16

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

1

-

18

Brown

1

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

Reddish-brown

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

Dark reddish-brown

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Reddish-yellow

8

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

9

Light red

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Buff, pink

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

3

-

1

6

Buff-brown CC

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

83

3

2

6

6

4

2

3

1

2

112

Total

KEY: J = Jar, J/B = Jar or Bowl, B = Bowl, D = Dish, B/D = Bowl or Dish, BKR = Beaker, J/BKR = Jar or Beaker, F = Flagon, M = Mortarium, L = Lid

46

Finds

activity from the northern area to the southern area in the Roman period. Some fabrics and forms are difficult to date precisely, as they span the transition from the later Iron Age and early Roman period but, overall, the bulk of the Roman pottery would seem to fit a later 1st to 2nd-century date. Some of the pottery, especially the grey wares, might be of later date but the only definite later pottery is the single sherd of OXF RS and that of possible LNV CC.

each have a sherd of grog-tempered ware. Enclosure E4 has two grey ware sherds and enclosure E5 contains 14 sherds in a dark brown ware (possibly of Iron Age date) and four grog-tempered ware sherds, respectively. Ditch [771] in enclosure E10 contained four sherds from a grey ware jar and one sherd from a dark grey ware jar which has a girth groove and external rilling, these sherds are also of late 1st to 2nd-century date. Roman features

Roman pottery from Iron Age features

Enclosure E7

In Area 1, RG5 has one sherd each of grey ware and grogtempered ware and RG8 has the base of a grog-tempered ware jar. In Area 6, two associated postholes in RG12

Ditched enclosure E7 contained 48 sherds, including a jar or bowl with an upright plain rim in the ditch [531].

Table 3.8 Roman pottery feature group quantification Group

No sherds

Weight (g)

Rim EVE

RG5 (IA)

2

5

-

RG8 (IA)

1

303

-

RG9 (IA)

78

299

-

RG12 (IA)

4

9

-

E4 (IA)

2

1

-

E5 (IA)

18

44

-

E8

11

140

24

E9

83

1154

58

E10 (IA)

5

123

-

E12

171

1382

137

E13

182

1670

75

E14

105

2912

135

E15

587

7258

809

E16

92

519

57

E17

84

1078

97

Total

1425

16897

1392

Enclosures E8 and E9 The pottery from enclosures E8 and E9 is predominantly of Roman date. Enclosure E8 contained one sherd of grey ware, two of dark grey ware from a globular jar, two of reddish-yellow ware, three of grog-tempered ware and three dark grey ware sherds (Table 3.8). This pottery is probably of late 1st to 2nd-century date. Pit [316] associated with enclosure E9 contained one sherd of a reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware. Enclosure ditch [318] contained one sherd of dark grey ware while ditch [200] had 45 sherds, 36 of which are in dark grey ware including a jar with shoulder cordons. Eight other sherds are from a storage jar in reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware and the final sherd is of grogtempered ware. Ditch [263] contained six sherds each of grey and dark grey ware and a reddish-yellow ware sherd, while ditch [324] has seven sherds of grey ware from two jars and a dark grey ware sherd. The seven sherds in ditch [321] are from another storage jar in reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware. The enclosure E9 pottery is probably also of late 1st to 2nd-century date.

Table 3.9 Roman pottery feature group vessel form quantification Group

Jar

J/B

B

D

B/D

BKR

J/BKR

F

M

Lid

Total

RG8

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

E8

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

E9

6

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6

E10

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

E12

10

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

11

E13

4

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

7

E14

9

-

-

2

1

-

-

-

-

-

12

E15

33

1

2

3

3

1

1

3

1

3

50

E16

3

1

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

5

E17

5

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

6

KEY: J = Jar, J/B = Jar or Bowl, B = Bowl, D = Dish, B/D = Bowl or Dish, BKR = Beaker, J/BKR = Jar or Beaker, F = Flagon, M = Mortarium, L = Lid

47

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm Enclosure E12

and some from ditch [37] are all from a grog-tempered ware jar. Two of the sherds are grey ware and the rest are grog-tempered ware, while one sherd in ditch [90] is from an OXF RS mortarium with multi-coloured trituration grits. One sherd from ditch [111] is a LGF SA Drag. 30 bowl and the rest are in grey ware. Other sherds are grog-tempered ware, those in the latter coming from a carinated jar or bowl with external cordons. The pottery from all these features is of late 1st to 2nd-century date with the exception of the sherd of OXF RS mortarium in ditch [90] which should date to the mid-3rd to 4th century.

An assemblage of 171 sherds weighing 1382g and an EVE of 1.37; 11 vessels were recorded (Table 3.10). Ditch [28] contained 11 sherds of grey ware, including a curvedsided bowl with an everted, flaring rim (Fig 3.3, 6), two sherds of dark grey ware and a sherd of LGF SA. Ditch [39] also has a sherd of LGF SA and the rest are from a grogtempered ware lid-seated jar. Eleven of the sherds in ditch [44] are of reddish-yellow ware and the remaining sherd is from a grey ware jar while ditch [95] contains a sherd each of grey and dark grey ware. Twenty-nine of the sherds in ditch [234] are in grey ware and include a large jar with a short neck and a jar or bowl with a long, flaring neck and a cordon at the junction of its neck and shoulder (Fig 3.3, 7). Five other sherds are in a dark grey ware and the final sherd is in a reddish-brown ware. Three sherds each in ditch [284] are from jars in grey and dark grey ware and the remaining sherds are in buff and reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware. All of the pottery in ditch [32] is from a grog-tempered ware jar and that in ditch [50] is all from a jar in a light red ware. The sherds in pit [113] are from a grog-tempered ware lid-seated jar. The LGF SA sherds are likely to be of late 1st-century date but, overall, the pottery from all of the Enclosure E12 features spans the late 1st to 2nd century.

Enclosure E14 Enclosure E14 contained 105 sherds weighing 2912g with an EVE of 1.35 and 12 vessels. Ditch [57] contained two dark grey sherds and one of reddish-yellow grogtempered ware. Three sherds from ditch [68] are a reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware storage jar and some from a grog-tempered ware jar with a triangular rim, a short neck and a cordon at the junction of its neck and shoulder; this vessel has had small and large holes punched in its side shoulder (Fig 3.3, 9). Two sherds in ditch [72] are a dark grey ware while three are from a reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware storage jar. Twentyeight sherds from ditch [125] are in grey ware, including a large jar with a long neck, a globular jar with a shoulder cordon and some with a ‘Rustic’-style applied clay decoration. Five other sherds are from a dark grey ware, neckless lid-seated jar and the other two are in grogtempered ware. Sherds in ditch [154] are from a large, globular jar in reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware was found. Nine sherds in ditch [159] came from a storage jar in reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware, three in a reddish-yellow ware and one from a dark grey ware dish with a plain rim and an internal ledge, similar to GalloBelgic-type dishes (Fig 3.3, 10). The date range for the pottery from enclosure E14 is late 1st to 2nd century.

Enclosure E13 The ditches assigned to enclosure E13 contained 182 sherds weighing 1670g with an EVE of 0.75 and seven vessels. Ditch [20] contained sherds of hard cream grog-tempered ware, grey ware and buff ware. Twenty sherds of grey ware, seven of dark grey ware including a jar, five from a grog-tempered ware lid-seated jar and six from a jar in hard cream grog-tempered ware with a cordon at the junction of its neck and shoulder (Fig 3.3, 8). Sherds from ditch [26] were all in grey ware Table 3.10 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, enclosure E12 Feature

No Sherds Weight (g)

Rim EVE

Vessels

Table 3.11 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, enclosure E13

Ditch 28

14

197

0.12

1B

Feature

No Sherds Weight (g)

Rim EVE

Vessels

Ditch 39

40

84

0.09

1J

Ditch 20

3

84

-

-

Ditch 44

12

50

0.03

1J

Ditch 23

38

603

0.2

3J

Ditch 95

2

15

-

-

Ditch 26

6

42

-

-

Ditch 191

5

12

-

-

Ditch 37

71

480

0.5

1J

Ditch 234

35

469

0.36

2J

Ditch 86

11

27

-

-

Ditch 284

8

76

0.16

2J

Ditch 90

1

16

-

1M

Ditch 32

20

122

0.5

1J

Ditch 111

13

63

0.05

1B

Ditch 50

16

188

-

1J

Ditch 80

6

32

-

-

Pit 113

1

73

0.06

1J

Ditch 88

33

323

-

1J/B

171

1382

1.37

11

Total

182

1670

0.75

7

Total

KEY: J = Jar, B = Bowl, J/B = Jar or Bowl, M = Mortarium

KEY: J = Jar, B = Bowl

48

Finds

are from a grey ware jar. Ditch [361] has six sherds in grey ware, seven in reddish-yellow ware, two in grogtempered ware and three from a dark grey ware jar.

Table 3.12 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, enclosure E14 Feature

No Sherds

Weight (g)

Rim EVE

Vessels

Ditch 57

3

35

0

-

Ditch 68

18

1593

44

2J

Ditch 72

2

8

0

-

Ditch 121

3

77

6

1J

Ditch 125

35

380

42

3J

Ditch 127

5

84

0

-

Ditch 146

11

186

0

1D/B

Ditch 154

1

29

14

1J

Ditch 156

3

197

0

-

Ditch 159

13

199

15

1J; 1D

Total

105

2912

135

12

Another sherd in is from a campanulate, lid-seated bowl or dish in grey ware (Fig 3.4, 20). Further sherds in grog-tempered ware and also grog-tempered were identified from a globular jar or bowl with a thickened, externally grooved rim (Fig 3.4, 11). The sherds in ditch [384] are grey ware and those in ditch [394] are in a reddish-brown ware coming from a jar with what appears to be a reddish ‘wash’. Ditch [401] contained one reddish-yellow ware sherd from a lidseated jar with external rilling (Fig 3.4, 12). Ditch [410] has the most pottery of all the features comprising 30 grey ware sherds, 24 in dark grey ware, 34 in a gritty buff ware and four in grog-tempered ware. The latter are from a storage jar, those in grey ware are from a jar and a curved-sided, plain-rimmed dish (Fig 3.3, 15), the dark grey sherds are from a lid-seated jar with external rilling and some of the buff sherds are from a flagon. Ditch [437] has four grey ware sherds and one each in buff and reddish-yellow ware. Eight of the sherds in ditch [458] are from a lid-seated, grogtempered jar (Fig 3.4. 13), two are from a grey ware neckless, globular jar and the others are in a gritty buff ware.

KEY: J = Jar, B = Bowl, D = Dish, D/B = Dish or bowl

Enclosure E15 Enclosure 15 contained the largest pottery assemblage of all the enclosures with 587 sherds, weighing 7258g with an EVE of just over eight and 50 recorded vessels. Ditch [106] contained a reddish-yellow ware lid-seated jar and grey ware sherds with a cordon at the junction of the neck and shoulder and rouletting below, probably from a jar. There were two grogtempered sherds. Thirty seven grey ware sherds from ditch [163] mostly came from a globular, neckless, shouldered, straight-walled jar with a shoulder groove (Fig 3.4, 17), 11 buff ware sherds from a flat-topped, ring-necked flagon with a four-ribbed handle, seven reddish-yellow ware sherds from a jar with a cordon at the junction of its neck and shoulder and eight dark grey ware and three grog-tempered ware sherds. Another 45 grey ware sherds in ditch [291] came from a globular jar with a cordon at the junction of its neck and shoulder and a girth groove, 25 other grey ware sherds, a grog-tempered ware sherd and eight sherds from a buff ware carinated beaker or cup-like vessel with a plain rim and a girth groove (Fig 3.4, 18). Ditch [301] has 11 grog-tempered ware sherds, one of which is a hard buff ware, 17 of grey ware, most from a barrel-shaped jar or beaker with a bead rim (Fig 3.4, 16), 17 in dark grey ware from a jar, seven from a jar in reddish-yellow ware and three from a straight-sided, bead-rimmed bowl in a colour-coated ware with a buff-brown fabric. There were three reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware storage jar sherds, 12 grey ware sherds, 13 in dark grey ware including a lid, eight from a bead-and-flange mortarium with flint trituration grits in a buff ware, possibly VER WH, together with six sherds in reddish-yellow ware and three in a reddishbrown ware in ditch [321]. The sherd in ditch [334] is from a dark grey ware jar and those in ditch [342]

Ten sherds are in grey ware and from three vessels – a short-necked jar, a small, globular jar with a cordon at the junction of its neck and shoulder and rouletting below (Fig 3.5, 22) and a dish with a plain rim and an internal ledge, similar to Gallo-Belgic-type dishes (Fig 3.4, 21). The other sherds are in a pinkish-buff grog-tempered ware, possibly PNK GT, from a jar with external rilling. The sherds in ditch [238] are from two grey ware jars, mostly a neckless, globular lid-seated jar and that in ditch [240] is from a reddish-yellow ware jar. Ditch [296] has 16 grey ware sherds, most from a jar with a neck groove and a shoulder cordon (Fig 3.3, 14) and others from a tall-necked jar or beaker with a bead rim and neck cordons, together with five dark grey ware lid-seated jar sherds, one sherd each from a buff ware flagon and a LGF SA bowl, possibly a Drag. 29 or 30, a grog-tempered ware sherd, a reddish-yellow grog-tempered ware jar sherd and two in a browncoloured ware from a globular jar and a wide bowl (Fig 3.4, 19). The 20 sherds in ditch [406] comprise 12 of grey ware, six of dark grey ware and two of buff ware and ditch [408] has four sherds from a grog-tempered storage jar and five in grey ware from a jar and a bowl or dish with a reeded rim. Ditch [414] has 15 sherds from a grog-tempered storage jar, seven of grey ware and three of dark grey ware and ditch [423] 15 grey ware sherds from a large, long-necked jar and 10 in a reddish-yellow ware. The final ditch [427] contains five sherds in grey ware and one in a reddish-brown. 49

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm Table 3.13 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, enclosure E15 No sh

Wgt (g)

Rim eve

J

J/B

J/BKR

B

D

B/D

BKR

F

L

M

Ditch 103

15

528

1.2

1

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 106

6

61

0.06

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 109

2

10

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 163

64

786

1.3

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

Ditch 238

55

252

0.39

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 240

1

34

0.12

1

-

-

2

-

-

1

-

-

-

Ditch 291

79

990

1.39

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 296

28

556

0.73

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

Ditch 301

55

376

0.41

2

-

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 321

45

757

0.38

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

1

Ditch 342

3

17

0.06

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 361

18

119

0.08

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 334

1

69

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 364

1

25

0.11

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

Ditch 371

1

11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 373

4

135

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 384

3

11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 394

4

30

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 397

4

58

0.18

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 401

6

1

44

0.1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 408

9

213

0.19

1

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

Ditch 406

20

93

0.02

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 410

55

92

1244

0.65

-

-

-

1

-

-

1

1

-

Ditch 414

25

366

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 423

25

210

0.37

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 427

6

62

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 437

6

60

0.04

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Ditch 458

12

90

0.31

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total

587

7258

8.09

33

1

2

3

2

2

1

3

1

1

Feature

KEY: J = Jar, J/B = Jar/Bowl; D = Dish; J/BKR = Jar/Beaker; B=Bowl; D/D = Dish or bowl; BKR = Beaker

The pottery from the enclosure E15 ditches is generally similar and would fit a late 1st to 2nd-century date range. There is a noticeably wider range of forms which might suggest that some of the features in this enclosure were closer to domestic occupation or activity than the other enclosures.

reddish-yellow ware. Five of those in ditch [377] are in grey ware, including a jar and the other sherd is in a dark reddish-brown ware. All of the ditch [417] pottery is grey ware including some from a small, globular jar with a neck cordon and a shoulder groove (Fig 3.5, 23) and ditch [421] has one sherd of a LGF SA Drag. 18 or 18/31 dish and another in grey ware. The sherds in ditches [545] and [624] are all grey ware, with those in the latter coming from a narrow-mouthed jar with a bead rim and neck grooves. The ditch [801] sherds are all grog-tempered ware with some coming from a jar or bowl. Twenty-one of the sherds in ditch [486] are grey ware and the rest are in a reddish-brown ware.

Enclosure E16 The ditches defining enclosure E16 contained 92 sherds weighing 519g with an EVE of 0.57; five vessels were recorded (Table 3.14). Seven of the sherds in ditch [351] are in a reddish-brown ware and the others are in a

50

Finds

Table 3.14 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, enclosure E16 Feature Ditch 351

No Sherds Weight (g) 12

Table 3.15 Roman pottery quantification Area 6, trackway E17

Rim EVE

Vessels

Feature

51

-

-

Ditch 150

No Sherds Weight (g) 8

71

Rim EVE

Vessels

0

1D

Ditch 377

6

67

0.09

1J

Ditch 174

12

146

0

1J

Ditch 417

28

140

-

1J

Ditch 185

16

216

50

1J

Ditch 421

2

17

0.02

1D

Ditch 250

15

186

29

1J

Ditch 545

1

3

-

-

Ditch 209

20

59

0

-

Ditch 624

3

59

0.42

1J

Ditch 663

13

400

18

2J

Ditch 801

8

16

0.04

1J/B

Total

84

1078

0.97

6

Ditch 486

26

138

-

-

Total

92

519

0.57

5

KEY: J = Jar, D = Dish

Key: Jar = Jar, J/B = Jar/bowl, D = Dish

Routeway 1

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

Brown-buff, grey core. E15, Gully [296] Brownish-grey. E15 Ditch [364] Grey. E15, Ditch [103] Grey. E15, Ditch [103] Grey. E16, Ditch [417] Buff, gritty. E17, Ditch [250] Reddish-yellow, grey core. Once mica-dusted? E17 Ditch [663] 26. Reddish-yellow. Ditch [169] 27. Grog-tempered, reddish-brown. E15, Ditch [388] 28. Grog-tempered, light red, grey core. Area 4, Ditch [7063]

Ditches assigned to routeway 1 contained 84 sherds, weighing 1078g with an EVE of 0.97; six vessels were noted (Table 3.15). The sherds in ditch (150) are from a grey ware dish with a raised base and two low footrings. Seven of the sherds in ditch [174] are also in grey ware and include some from a jar; the other sherds comprise four of buff-pink ware and one in a reddish-yellow ware. The pottery in ditch (185) is from a grey ware neckless, globular, lid-seated jar, apart from two dark grey ware sherds and ditch [250] contains three grey ware sherds and 12 in a gritty pink-buff ware, most from a lid-seated jar with external rilling (Fig 3.5, 24). Ditch [209] has sherds in five fabrics – grog-tempered (3), hard buff grog-tempered (3), grey ware (9), dark grey ware (4) and reddish-yellow ware (1) while ditch 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Querns and grinding stones by Andy Chapman Four pieces of worked stone likely to derive from querns or grinding stones were found in features within Area 1 assigned to the late Iron Age Phase 3 (Table 3.16).

Brown to reddish-brown. RG13, Gully [9161] Reddish-brown. RG11, Ditch [555] Dark brown. E2, Ditch [7283] Reddish-brown. E15, Ditch [406] Reddish-brown. E15, Ditch [406] Brownish-grey. E12, Ditch [28] Grey. E12, Ditch [234] Grog-tempered, hard buff, grey core. E13, Ditch [23] Grog and sand tempered, dark grey, hard. E14, Ditch [68] Dark grey. E14, Ditch [159] Grog-tempered, reddish brown. E15, Ditch [373] Reddish-yellow. E15, Ditch [401] Grog-tempered, reddish-brown. E15, Ditch [458] Brownish-grey. E15, Ditch [296] Brownish-grey, E15, Ditch [410] Grey. E15, Ditch [301] Brownish-grey, paler interior. E15, Ditch [163] Buff-brown. E15, Ditch [291]

A single small fragment of Millstone Grit, from enclosure ditch E3 [7242], is likely to be a remnant of a broken-up rotary quern upper stone. Too little survives to say anything about the quern in general. The other three pieces are all complete grinding stones worked on small blocks of fined-grained sandstone. One is certainly worked on a water worn cobble and the others may also have come from reworked cobbles. The two large stones have shallow concave grinding surfaces, while the small stone is deeply concave along its length, and shallowly concave across the width of the stone. These stones are all too small to act as effective saddle querns, but they are similar in form to grinding stones found quite frequently on settlement sites, where they were presumably used for grinding other materials, perhaps small pieces of mineral or hard foodstuffs such as pepper corns.

51

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

1

2 3

4

5

6

8

7

9

10 0

Scale 1:4

200mm

Pottery Illustration catalogue 1-10

Figure 3.3 Pottery illustration catalogue 1-10

52

Fig 3.3

Finds

12

11

13

14

15

16

18

17

19

21

20

0

Scale 1:4

200mm

Pottery Illustration catalogue 11-21

Figure 3.4 Pottery illustration catalogue 11-21

53

Fig 3.4

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm

23

22

25

24

26

27

28

0

200mm

Pottery Illustration catalogue 22-28 Figure 3.5 Pottery illustration catalogue 22-28

Scale 1:4

Fig 3.5

Table 3.16 Quantification of querns and grinding stones Fill/cut

Feature type

7156/ 7158 Posthole SF1 RG8 Ditch Enclosure 3 7282/ 7283 Ditch SF6 Enclosure 2 7313/ 7315 Pit SF46 RG8 7241/ 7242

Stone type

Description

Grinding stone, triangular, 230mm long x 170mm wide x 65mm Fine-grained sandstone, thick. Grinding surface slightly concave, worn in centre, dimpled water-worn cobble tooling around margins Millstone Grit

Small quern fragment with sharply curved outer surface

Grinding stone, sub-rectangular, 145mm long x 85mm wide x 55mm thick. Deeply concave bowl shape Grinding stone, sub-rectangular, 230mm long x 153mm wide x Fine-grained sandstone 50mm thick. Grinding surface slightly concave Fine-grained sandstone

54

Finds

Fired Clay by Mary Ellen Crothers

Table 3.17 Daub Feature

Sherd count

Wt (g)

526/527

RG9

4 + crumbs

49.6

A total of 64 fragments of daub were recovered from seven late Iron Age contexts, weighing 426.4g (Table 3.17). The bulk of the assemblage is represented by fragments which are too small to analyse with confidence. The fabric is highly variable and largely unhomogenous which is typical for its function as daub. The laminations in the clay are frequently wavy, which is characteristic of the action of pushing and pressing the poorly-mixed clay into position by hand The assemblage largely comprises bulk material but several fragments have diagnostic features such as sail or withy impressions.

593/594

RG10

5

54.3

639/640

RG12

19

77.3

Kiln, forge, oven or hearth material

Daub

Fill/cut

7198/7197

E2

1

3.3

7247/7249

RG8

31

218.9

7616/7606

E3

2

8.5

9156/9157

RG12

2

14.5

Table 3.18 Kiln, oven or hearth material

A total of 151 fragments were recovered from nineteen Iron Age and early Roman contexts, weighing 1.54 kg (Table 3.18). Many of the fragments are highly fired, suggesting they had been part of a structure subject to repeated extreme heat, such as a kiln or oven. The majority of this assemblage is bulk material without diagnostic features and is not possible to identify with confidence. Some of the Iron Age material from context (7247), ring gully RG8 (Area 1) had been subject to extreme heat which has caused it to bloom. The opposite surfaces to the bloom are slightly convex which may suggest that this material is kiln lining. The material from context (101), enclosure E15 (Area 6) is of particular interest. The fired clay probably derives from a kiln base and bulk material from kiln furniture. Fragments of a hearth base were also recovered from context (319), enclosure E15. The fired clay from Roman deposits is extremely variable, suggesting a range of functions with a very low organic content, implying that it had been part of structures designed for high heat use rather than it having survived through accidental burning. The majority of the Roman material does not have diagnostic features and is likely to represent bulk material from ovens and hearths.

Fill/cut

Feature

Sherd count

Wt (g)

639/640

RG12

28+crumbs

63.7

689/690

RG10

13

57

865/866

RG14

2

22.3

7136/7142

E2

1

7.3

7137/7142

E2

2

3

7156/7158

RG8

8

12.4

7247/7249

RG8

3 of…

17.9

7247/7249

RG8

40+crumbs

174.8

7247/7249

RG8

1

2.4

7289/7290

E2

1

13.3

7590/7591

E2

1

11.9

101/103

E15

22 + crumbs

903.1

172/174

E17

2

19.2

206/207

E12

11

39

317/318

E9

1

4.3

319/321

E15

8

35

832

E6

1

34.6

7066/7067

Area 4

1

9.5

7070/7071

Area 4

2

21

9195/9196

E11

1

57.6

1

27.5

Unstr.

Slag by Andy Chapman A total of 1.64kg of fuel ash slag and 0.69kg of ferrous slag was recovered from features dating to the late Iron Age. All of the fuel ash slag came from enclosure ditches and ring ditches of the Iron Age complex in Area 1 (Table 3.19). The fuel ash slag is characteristically highly vesicular and light weight, with a dark grey interior and grey to brown surfaces, with the brown surface colouration perhaps a result of subsequent iron staining. The majority of the groups comprised one of more small abraded and rounded pieces no larger than 50mm diameter, indicating that these were the product of at least secondary deposition.

Floor surface A total of 62 fragments of possible floor surface were recovered from ring gully RG8 (Area 1), weighing 217g. The clay is of low quality and has retained a natural blocky structure and appears to not have been worked. This may represent washed-out, exposed soil which had become compressed and partially burned, such as a floor surface under a hearth. 55

Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm Table 3.19 Quantification of slag Feature

FAS

Table 3.20 Roman ceramic tile Fe slag

Fill/cut

Weight (g) Area 1 E2

185.0

E3

1004.0

RG5

270.0

RG6

30.0

RG8

20.0

Ditch 7201

130.0

sub-total

1639.0

(g)102/103 114/115

Area 3 Ditch 7142

3.0

sub-total Totals

283.0 1639.0

E15

1

381

1

35

E15

6

157

393/394

E15

1

18

9

591

Roman tile comprised nine probable fragments (0.591kg) from four contexts (Table 3.20). The tile was in a hard orange sandy fully oxidised except one sherd which had a reduced grey core. The tile had been heavily abraded. The tiles were either flat or undiagnostic and almost certainly brought in for other reasons such as surface hardcore. The low quantity suggests that there was no tiled Roman building present.

410.0 280.0

Weight (g)102/103

E12

Total

Ditch 7036

No

297/301

Tile by Rob Atkins

410.0

Feature

693.0

However, even the largest groups, such as the 0.93kg from ditch [7606] in enclosure E3 and the 0.25kg from ring gully RG5, still only comprised residual abraded and rounded pieces, up to 60mm in diameter, indicating that the material had become scattered and fragmented prior to deposition. While fuel ash slag is a product of burning at a high temperature, there was no indication that any of this material was related to iron working.

Other finds by Tora Hylton The excavations produced 20 individually recorded small finds (Table 3.21). Two of the finds were recovered from stratified deposits from enclosure ditches [103] and [384] (E15), while the majority of finds were recovered from subsoil deposits and medieval furrows overlying the area of excavation. Chronologically, the earliest datable finds are Roman in date and they are represented by a lead weight and a possible copper alloy stud. The remaining finds are all post-medieval; they date to the 18th and 19th century and they are almost entirely represented by artefacts which may have fallen off larger items or been lost. The assemblage includes personal items for dress and entertainment and decorative horse furnishings.

There are two large pieces of ferrous slag, one from ring gully RG8 in Area 1 and the other from an Iron Age ditch in Area 3 and a couple of very small pieces from an Iron Age ditch also in Area 3. From the fill (7034) of Iron Age ditch [7036] in Area 3, there is sub-rectangular flat plate of slag, 75-90mm diameter by 35mm thick and weighing 280g, with a rounded base and an uneven top, which may be a smithing hearth base. The curvature on side indicates that it had formed against the side of a hearth, c200-250mm diameter, probably immediately below a tuyere or blow hole.

Roman A complete lead weight SF 5 was recovered from a Roman enclosure ditch [103]. The weight is bi-conical in form and at the apex, the remains of the iron suspension loop survives as a corroded mass. Weights of this type would have been used with a steelyard to accurately quantify commodities being traded. It is interesting to note that the weight weighs 337.6g, which is roughly equivalent to a Roman pound (libra) at 327.45g. The ferrous corrosion deposits may account for the slight increase in weight (c10g).

From the fill (7392) of a late Iron Age pit [7395], in a pit associated with ring gully RG8, there is a rounded piece, 70mm diameter by 50mm thick and weighing 410g. Fired clay furnace lining is attached to one side, and it has a rounded base and an irregularly flat top. This slag had accumulated around the underside of the tuyere or blow hole of a smithing hearth through at least three firings, with the slag gathering below this hottest part of the hearth. These possible smithing hearth bottoms provide evidence of iron working on the site.

A cast copper alloy double headed stud/mount SF 53 was recovered from subsoil deposits. Both terminals are circular and display signs of abrasion (the

56

Finds

Items related to the use of horse include two spur buckles and two decorative mounts. The buckles have cast A-symmetrical double-looped frames with D-shaped cross-sections. The earliest datable example is incomplete. It is tinned externally and the outside edge is decorated with six lobes a feature dating to the late 16th and 17th century (cf Whitehead 1996, fig 577). The other is complete and has a narrowed strap-bar and shallow recess for the pin on the outside edge; it dates to the mid-18th century (cf Webb 1981 fig 146).

Table 3.21 Small finds quantified by material type Material

Total

Copper alloy

11

Iron

2

Lead

5

Glass

2

Total

20

circumferential edges have eroded away), making identification difficult. The head is circular in plan with a concave upper surface, a solid circular-sectioned shank protrudes from the underside and terminates in a flat circular end-plate; the remains of ferrous corrosion deposits are present on the underside.

There are two plain mounts, each with a pair of integral, pointed prongs protruding from the underside, for attaching to leather straps etc. One is lozenge-shaped and the other quadrilateral-shaped and both would have been used to enhance harness straps.

Post-medieval

Other finds worthy of note include a lead pendant/ fixed weight and lead shot . The former is cylindrical inform with opposed rabbets towards the top which is perforated for suspension and represents a type that have had any number of uses from fishing to commercial use (Egan 2005, 163). The latter is small, measuring just 11mm in diameter; its small size suggests that it would have been for use with a pistol (Ibid 2005, 202).

Eighteen post-medieval small finds were recovered; the majority on stylistic grounds may be dated to the c18th century. The range of artefact types represented indicates that these are small portable finds which may have been casually lost during day to day activities. The assemblage includes a token, dress accessories (buckles), recreational items (Jews harp, thimble) and decorative and functional accessories for use on horse furniture (mounts, buckles). In addition there is one lead shot and two lead weights.

Catalogue

A complete and worn post-medieval copper-alloy token was found with inner circle shield divided by chevron (9 corn above and below). There are two copper alloy buckles for use on shoes, and a further two for use with spurs (see below). Both the shoe buckles are rectangular in shape and would have had centrally placed spindles with chapes attached (now missing) to facilitate attachment to a shoe. One is plain with a D-shaped cross-section (cf Whitehead 1996, fig 662) and the other is ornately decorated with a moulded motif in high relief, comprising scrolls, floral motifs and arches and both date to the mid/late 18th century.

Copper alloy SF 1 Token, copper alloy. Obverse: Reverse: illegible. Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified SF 7 Thimble, copper alloy. Complete. Small machine made with knurled indentations. Crown patterned-stamped with indentations in straight lines forming a hatched motif. Date: 18th/19th century. Diameter: 17mm, height: 17mm Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified SF 8 Mount, copper alloy. Flat-sectioned rectangular mount with small centrally placed countersunk perforation. Single rivet at each end (extent.) Measurements: 32 x 12mm. Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified SF 10 Mount, copper alloy. Plain lozenge-shaped mount with two integral pointed prongs protruding from the underside. Measurements: 12 x 12mm, Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified SF 15 Buckle frame, copper alloy. Complete, although pin missing. Cast A-symmetrical double-looped frame. Curved profile with D-shaped crosssection, narrowed strap-bar and shallow recess for the pin on squared outside edge (cf Webb 1981 fig 146). Mid 18th century, length: 15mm, width: 21mm, Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified

A complete copper alloy Jew’s harp was recovered from a furrow. It comprises a sub-circular head and two tapering arms with a lozenge-shaped cross-section. The rabbet (a rectangular notch) is located at the apex of the head, but the iron tongue, which would have been used to sound the instrument, is missing. Jew’s harps of this type date from c1500-1800AD. In addition, there is a small copper alloy thimble measuring just 17mm in diameter. The sides are furnished with machine knurled indentations and the crown is patternedstamped with hatched grooving, a feature on 18th century thimbles (Noel Hume 1991, 256).

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Early Neolithic, Iron Age and Roman settlement at Monksmoor Farm SF 16 Mount, copper alloy. Complete. Plain quadrilateral-shaped mount with two integral pointed prongs protruding from the underside. Measurements: 18 x 11mm, Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified SF 17 Jews harp, copper alloy. Complete. Consists of a sub circular head and two tapering arms both with the characteristic lozenge-shaped cross section. The arms are complete. The rabbet is located at the apex of the head, but is missing the iron tongue, which would have been used to sound the instrument. Post-medieval, length: 57mm, Furrow SF 21 Buckle frame, copper alloy. Incomplete, one side of frame missing. Cast A-symmetrical double-looped frame. D-shaped cross-section and narrowed strap-bar, outside edge furnished with six lobed knops; exterior surface tinned. Stylistically similar buckle dating to c1575-1700 (cf Whitehead 1996 fig 577). Late 16th-17th century. ?Used for shoes, spurs etc. Length: 15mm Width: 21mm, Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified SF 22 Buckle frame, copper alloy. Incomplete, part of frame missing. Rectangular double-loop frame with curved profile and D-shaped crosssection. The frame is drilled to receive an iron spindle to which a pin and chape would have been attached. c1720-1790. For similar example see (cf Whitehead 1996 fig 662), used for shoes. Measurements: 33 x 25mm Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified SF 23 Buckle frame, copper alloy. Incomplete, most of frame missing. Sub-rectangular frame with rounded corners, moulded decoration in high relief, comprising scrolls, floral motifs and arches. c1733-1790. Width: c51mm, Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified SF 53 Stud, copper alloy. Cast double-headed stud, solid shank. Both heads heavily abraded (circumferential edges broken off). Concave circular head with solid circular-sectioned shank protruding from the underside, terminates in a flat circular end-plate. A patch of ferrous corrosion, probably the remains of an iron shaft adheres to the underside. AD 43 - AD 400. Length: 20mm, Diameter (incomplete): c18mm, Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified

Iron SF 51 Nail, iron. Incomplete, terminal of shank missing. Sub-circular head with rectangular sectioned shank. Length (incomplete): 68mm, context 383, enclosure ditch Unidentified, iron. Tapered square-sectioned shank with curved profile. Possible a nail shank, furrow. Lead SF 2 Cap, lead. Complete. Convex top, recess on the underside. Modern. Diameter: 19mm, Height: 14mm Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified SF 5 Weight, lead/iron. The weight is bi-conical in form; from the top of the weight the remains of the iron suspension loop survive as a mass of ferrous corrosion deposits. The weight measures 57mm in height including the suspension loop. Diameter: 44mm, Weight: 337.6g, context 100, enclosure ditch SF 6 Weight, lead. Cylindrical weight with opposed rabbets towards the top, perforated for suspension. Height:40mm, Diameter: 18mm, Weight: 73.8g Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified Pendant/fixed weight, any number of uses from fishing to commercial use (Egan 2005). SF 9 Shot, lead. Spherical ball measuring c 11mm in diameter; possible impact mark on one side. Weight: 6.5g Context 002, Subsoil, Unstratified SF 18 Weight, lead. Sub-circular with vertical sides and central sub-circular perforation. Diameter: 23mm, Height: 14mm, Weight: 41.2g, Furrow, Glass Context 713 Window glass. Two joining shards forming a sub-square fragment of window glass in a colourless (pale green) translucent glass; flat surfaces with signs of wear. On one side the edge is grozed, indicating that it originates from a leaded window light. Measurements: 29 x 23mm, thickness: 1.5mm Context 727 Vessel glass. Three small shards joining to forming a small undiagnostic body sherd in a pale green glass. Post-medieval/ modern. Measurements: 30 x 12mm, thickness: 2mm

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Chapter 4

The faunal and environmental evidence Animal bone by Rebecca Gordon

listed in Tables 4.1 – 4.4, with nomenclature following Stace (2010). The approximate density of material recorded is expressed in the tables as follows: x = 1 – 10 specimens, xx = 11 – 50 specimens, xxx = 51 – 100 specimens and xxxx = 100+ specimens.

Only a small faunal assemblage was recovered of which a total of 63 fragments could be identified to species consisting mainly of sheep/goat, then cattle and horse. Ageing and measurable data is limited to sheep/goat. The paucity of animal bones is surprising given the evidence for livestock enclosures and it is likely that the soil conditions and poor bone preservation contributed to the dearth of faunal remains.

Phase 1: Early Neolithic, Area 6 Samples taken from pit [356] and pit [358] produced only large quantities of charcoal and it is likely that these charcoal rich assemblages derive from small, discrete deposits of domestic hearth waste.

On a number of long bones the periosteal surface has exfoliated or deteriorated to expose the compact bone underneath and the joint surfaces on some specimens has eroded away to show the cancellous bone. The infilling of late Iron Age enclosure E1 contained many large mammal shaft fragments, which may have been caused by trampling from humans and animals. The surface modifications on the bones suggest they were not immediately buried after disposal. Signs of the exfoliation, flaking and erosion are typical of bones that have been subject to weathering (Madgwick 2010). Consequently, other modifications such as butchery and pathology could not be observed. Burning evidence is confined to a few examples of unidentifiable calcined fragments from the infilling of pits associated with roundhouse RG8.

Phase 2: Middle Iron Age, Area 6 Sample 23 was taken from ring gully RG14 and contained only occasional flecks of charcoal. Phase 3: Late Iron Age Area 6 A total of eight samples were taken, six from ring gullies and two from postholes. Although small (i.e. 5mm

xx

xxx

xx

-

xx

-

xx

x

-

Charcoal >10mm

xx

xx

x

-

xx

-

xx

x

-

Charred root/stem

x

x

x

-

x

-

-

-

x

Indet. Seeds

x

x

x

-

x

x

-

-

-

Black porous and tarry material

x

-

x

x

x

x

x

-

x

Small coal frags.

-

x

x

-

x

x

-

x

xx

Sample volume (litres)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Volume of flot (litres)