Iron Age and Roman settlement on the Northamptonshire uplands - Andrew Mudd

Archaeological excavations in advance of the construction of
the new A43 dual carriageway between Towcester and the M40, in
both Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire, were carried out by
Northamptonshire Archaeology in 2000 and 2001 in accordance with
Highways Agency requirements. Excavations were undertaken on five
settlement sites
four dating to the Iron Age/early Roman period,
and one to the Roman period. Three of the Iron Age sites, each of
a different form, lay within 500m of each other south of
Towcester. There were also investigations on a smaller scale on
sites principally of the Iron Age and Roman periods, including a
pit lignment. The opportunity has also been taken to present the
results of a magnetometer survey at Tusmore Deserted Medieval
Village, which included part of a Roman settlement. This report
also summarises the more disparate evidence for medieval
land-use. The investigations are particularly significant in view
of the limited previous archaeological work in this area, much
of which lies on Boulder Clay geology. The finds comprise
moderately large collections of pottery (c 8000 sherds) and
animal bone (77 kg) and small collections of metal and other
finds. Of particular importance was the discovery of Iron Age
iron smelting at Biddlesden Road Bridge and early Roman iron
melting at Syresham. Detailed analysis indicates that both slag
tapping and non-slag tapping technologies were used in the Iron
Age. Early Roman pottery kilns were found at Syresham and
Whitfield, adding to the picture of a widespread but small-scale
industry at this time. A report on a group of infant burials from
Silverstone Fields Farm is presented in detail.The evidence is
discussed and set in its regional context. A comparison of the
artefactual and economic evidence from the Iron Age sites
suggests that there were slight differences in the assemblages
which could indicate different economic practices and perhaps
social roles for these settlements.