Northamptonshire Archaeology 25

This report describes the results of two excavations carried out at this hillfort: two cuttings made by Professor Alston in 1952, and a further investigation of an eroded section of the rampart in 1988. An early rampart was constructed from material dug from the encircling ditch, which varied around its circuit as reflected by the core of the rampart in the excavated sections. The 1988 excavations showed that sandstone dug from the ditch was incorporated into the rampart and perhaps formed the front revetment. The rampart at the rear was supported by a stockade of closely set posts; it is possible that this stockade was initially free-standing and that a box structure was added later. Evidence in the east cutting of 1952 suggested that the ditch was recut and the early box rampart superseded by one of glacis form. Similarly, the rampart in the 1988 cutting had almost certainly been reconstructed in some form after it was burnt. Both campaigns of excavation showed that a great deal of the rampart had been lost to quarrying and erosion, making it difficult to assess its form in the later period with any confidence. The east cutting was positioned next to the hillfort entrance, and it is possible that the remodelling revealed in the trench is confined to this area. Too much of the rampart on the north side of the hillfort has been destroyed to resolve this problem, although the 1988 excavation confirmed that more than one phase of construction is represented.

Watching briefs and limited rescue excavation work carried out during development on the Hunsbury ridge in the 1980s revealed intense Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon activity in the area around the Iron Age hillfort. Unfinished iron objects found during quarrying at Hunsbury suggest some form of local manufacture/production and that ironworking and trading may have formed important elements in the Iron Age economy of the region. There was pottery and inhumation evidence of Anglo-Saxon activity and a small Anglo-Saxon iron-smelting furnace was found. The hillfort enclosure could have been an important centre in both Iron Age and early Anglo-Saxon periods, but the availability of iron ore on Hunsbury ridge may also have influenced the settlement pattern and activity in the area in both periods.

In 1983 a series of trenches was excavated to determine the extent and preservation of any archaeological remains, prior to the proposed rebuilding of a radio station. The limited investigation revealed traces of occupation in the Middle Iron Age at the southern end of the hillfort, although the nature of activity at that time and its bearing upon the history and development of the hillfort remain uncertain. The existence of more than one defensive ditch around the south end was also revealed.

Fieldwork in 1989 demonstrated that settlement features can lie below quite small scatters of Saxon pottery discovered by fieldwalking. At Brixworth evidence of post-hole buildings was recovered during construction of a bypass, while at Upton a sunken-featured building and other features were discovered as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment. A reticella glass bead found at Upton is an unusual find normally associated with high status cemetery sites.

Three small sites excavated in Oundle provide evidence of an AS presence in and around the town. An isolated sunken-floored building on the outskirts of the town has produced pottery of the fifth century. Two conjoined sites in the centre of town attest occupation from the Early--Middle Saxon period onwards and contemporary finds from the churchyard, together with structural evidence from the parish church itself, suggest that the church originated as a large Late Saxon building.

In 1979--80 a scheme for consolidating the ancient fabric provided an opportunity for limited archaeological rescue excavation, in two of the angle-towers. The results shed light upon the early stages of development of the site in addition to providing specific constructional details.

The site was discovered during a routine check on development in local villages. Topsoil stripping prior to housing development exposed a scatter of pottery, amongst which were sherds thought to be wasters. Further surface cleaning revealed the archaeological features. The finds and original records from the excavation are retained in the Northamptonshire Archaeological Archive and there is an `Appendix: microfiche index' (174--5) referring to the level 3 report archived.

Summaries of fieldwork carried out in Northamptonshire during 1993