MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) undertook extensive excavations during the construction of two separate, but adjacent road schemes, some 4.5km apart near Houghton Regis and Toddington, in south Central Bedfordshire. Taken as a whole, the excavations provide a detailed multi-period dataset for regional and national comparison.
The first evidence for occupation occurred in the middle/late Bronze Age comprising pits and clusters of postholes, including four-post and six-post structures. Two pit alignments, more than 2km apart, also indicate that land divisions were being established, and in the late Bronze Age/early Iron Age a significant new settlement emerged in the valley bottom. Parts of a further contemporary earlier-middle Iron Age settlement lay at the top of the valley but neither settlement extended into the Roman period. In the late Iron Age or early Roman period three or four new settlements emerged with occupation continuing into the late Roman period in at least one of these. Of particular interest was the recovery of two significant Aylesford-Swarling type cemeteries as well as a third cemetery which largely comprised unurned burials, including some busta, but with few accompanying grave goods.
In the late 7th-century a small probable Christian conversion open-ground inhumation cemetery was established with burials accompanied by a range of objects, including a rare work box, knives, brooches, chatelaine keys and a spearhead. Parts of three medieval settlements were uncovered including one with a potters' working area.
Author(s): Jim Brown
Publisher: Archaeopress Archaeology
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 620
City: Oxford
Title Page
Copyright page
Contents Page
List of Figures
List of Tables
Contributors
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1. Introduction
Location and circumstances of the fieldwork
M1 Junction 12 improvements
A5–M1 link road
Landscape character, topography and geology
Topography and geology along the valley of the Ouzel Brook
Topography and geology at M1 Junction 12
Aims and objectives of the fieldwork
M1 Junction 12 improvements
A5–M1 link road
Research themes and the significance of results
Bronze Age
Iron Age and Roman
Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic
Middle Saxon
Late Saxon and medieval
Post-medieval and modern
Organisation of this report
Summary of chronology within this report
Textual and graphical conventions
Arrangements for the archives
Community engagement and public dissemination
Chapter 2. Middle–late Bronze Age pits and undated pit alignments
Middle-late Bronze Age pits in the upper valley
Middle–late Bronze Age pits at Site H
The form and character of the postholes
Possible structures
Possible fence lines
Dispersed isolated pits
Large pits and pits packed with burnt stone, HP1
Distribution of pottery
Summary
Middle–late Bronze Age pits in the lower valley
Summary
Site Q
Sites D and G
Site M
Middle–late Bronze Age pits at Sites D, G, M and Q
Late Bronze Age/early Iron Age pits at Site C
The Bronze Age pit alignment, south of Site M
The form and character of the pits
Groups within the alignment
Group MPL1
Group MPL2
Group MPL3
Group MPL4
Pit alignments and other features at Site P
The form and character of the pits
The main pit alignment, PPL1
The northern pits and break in alignment
The southern row of pits
Other aligned pits, PPL2
A later boundary and pits group PPG2
Ditch, P[198]
Curving gully, P[330]
Pit group, PPG2
Non-aligned pits and postholes, PPG1
Specialist studies
Middle–late Bronze Age pottery by Andy Chapman
Pottery from Site H
Pottery from Site C
Pottery from Site G
Catalogue of illustrated pottery (Figs 2.26 and 2.27)
Pottery from Site M
Residual pottery
Discussion
Charcoal
by Dana Challinor
Charred plant macrofossils and other remains by Val Fryer
Samples from pit alignments
Faunal remains
by Rebecca Gordon
Molluscs by Val Fryer
Radiocarbon determinations
Regional landscape context and discussion
Previous archaeological works and associated sites
Flint scatters
Other sites and monuments
Post structures and associated postholes
Isolated and scattered pits
Pit alignments
Review of project objectives
Chapter 3. Iron Age farming beside the Ouzel Brook
Iron Age settlement evidence at Sites D, G and M
Early Iron Age features at Site D
Pit cluster DPC1
Pit cluster DPC2 and pit D[1195]
Pit cluster DPC3
Curvilinear ditch, DED1
Individual pits and postholes at Site D
Pit cluster DPC4
Pit cluster GPC1
Summary
Early Iron Age pits at Site G
Pit cluster GPC2
Isolated pits at Site G
Disarticulated human charnel from Sites D and G
Earlier-middle Iron Age dispersed settlement at Sites D and G
Ring ditch GRD1
Ring ditch GRD2
Enclosure GENC1
Pits close to ring ditches GRD1 and GRD3
Pits to the north-east of the settlement
Ring ditch GRD3
Enclosure DENC2 and pit D[1227]
Later-middle Iron Age enclosed settlement at Site G
The south-eastern settlement boundary, GBD1
Ring ditches GRD4-8
The south-western settlement boundary, GBD2
Enclosures GENC2-3
Enclosure GENC4
Ditch GD4
A possible cesspit outside the settlement
Later-middle Iron Age peripheral activity at Site D
Enclosure DENC3
Boundary ditches at Site D
Middle Iron Age settlement and activity at Sites K and N
Earlier-middle Iron Age storage pits and pit cluster
Storage pits
Pit cluster KPC
Later-middle or late Iron Age boundary ditches
Ditches within scheme corridor at Site K
Ditches within the farm access road at Site K
Undated pits and postholes
Late Iron Age settlement, 1st century BC, at Site G, D and M
Settlement boundaries
The south-eastern boundary, GBD1
Boundary GBD5
The north-eastern boundary, GBD4
The north-western boundary, GBD3
The south-western boundary, GBD2
Ring ditches
Ring ditch GRD9 and nearby pits
Ditch GD11
Ring ditch GRD10
Internal settlement enclosures
Enclosure GENC5
Enclosure GENC6
Enclosure GENC7
Ditch GD10
Enclosure GENC8
Post structures within the settlement
Pits and postholes outside the settlement boundary
Pits within the southern extent of settlement
An Iron Age roundhouse at Thorn overbridge, Site G
Late Iron Age boundaries, 1st century BC, at Site D
Boundary ditch DBD6
Boundary ditch DBD7
Iron Age ditches south of Site M
Specialist studies
Fired clay and daub
Site G by Pat Chapman
Site D
Site K
Early Iron Age pottery
The early Iron Age pottery of the south Midlands by Andy Chapman
Early Iron Age pits and pit clusters at Site D
Early Iron Age pits and pit clusters at Site G
Earlier-middle and later-middle to late Iron Age pottery
The evolution of the Iron Age pottery chronology in the south Midlands by Andy Chapman
The Iron Age pottery sequence and chronology for the south Midlands
Earlier-middle Iron Age pits and a pit cluster, and later boundaries at Site K
Later-middle to late Iron Age settlement at Sites D and G
Later-middle and late Iron Age linear ditch systems and enclosure at Site D
Iron Age pottery from other sites
The middle to late Iron Age assemblages and domestic use by Andy Chapman
Registered Iron Age finds
Personal possessions by Tora Hylton and Ian Riddler
General ironwork
Tools
Miscellanea
Metalworking debris by Andy Chapman
Wood charcoal
Results by Imogen van Bergen-Poole
Charred plant macrofossils and other remains by Val Fryer
Faunal remains
Site G by Rebecca Gordon
Site D
Animal bone from other Iron Age sites
Molluscs by Val Fryer
Radiocarbon determinations
Early Iron Age dates
Earlier-middle Iron Age dates
Later-middle Iron Age dates
The alluvial sequence beside the Ouzel Brook at Site M
Regional landscape context and discussion
Previous archaeological works and associated sites
Latest Bronze Age to early Iron Age activity/occupation (c.800–400BC)
Early Iron Age pit clusters at Sites D, G and an earlier-middle pit cluster at K
Layout of features at Sites D and G
Start date of the early Iron Age settlement at Sites D and G
Isolated pits and postholes at Sites D and G
Other early Iron Age settlements
Earlier-middle Iron Age (c.400–300/250BC)
Comparisons between open settlements
Location of the earlier-middle Iron Age settlement
Internal arrangements within the settlement
Understanding population
Economy of the settlements at Sites G and K
Later-middle Iron Age (c.300/250–100BC)
Internal domestic occupation and pastoral farming activities
Environment and economy
Field systems at Site D
Late Iron Age (c.100BC–AD0)
Late Iron Age settlement at Site G
Sub-rectangular enclosure at Site G
Internal layout of settlement at Site G
Late Iron Age boundaries and field systems
Artefacts from the Iron Age settlement at Sites D and G
Craft activities from Sites D, G and K
Review of project objectives
Chapter 4. A late Iron Age/Roman cremation cemetery and settlement features at Harlington Road
The Iron Age/Roman funerary remains and nearby boundaries
Summary
Cremation cemetery at Site M1A
Phase 1: Pre-Roman late Iron Age, 1st centuries BC to AD
The cremation burials
Non-funerary features
Phase 2: Late Iron Age/Roman, early to mid 1st century AD
The cremation burials
Cremation burial M1A[4234]
Relationship to the nearby boundary ditches
Phase 3: Roman, late 1st to early 2nd centuries AD
The cremation burials
Features outside the cemetery
Phase 4: Roman, early to mid 2nd century AD
The cremation burials
Further redefinition of nearby boundaries
An undated inhumation burial
Roman boundaries at TWB3, Site M1C and Site M1B
Phase 3: Ditches, late 1st century AD
Roman boundaries, pits and gullies at TWB3
Phase 4: Settlement features, early to mid 2nd century AD
Pits and gullies
Phase 5: A late Roman boundary ditch
Specialist studies
Fired clay by Pat Chapman
Querns by Andy Chapman
Roman pottery by Jane Timby
Pottery chronology
Modifications to vessels
Pottery from non-funerary features near the cemetery
Regional parallels
Pottery from ditches and pits on the opposite side of the valley
Catalogue of illustrated pottery from non-funerary contexts (Fig 4.57)
Tile by Pat Chapman
Registered late Iron Age/Roman finds by Tora Hylton
An iron disc
A ceramic roundel or gaming counter
A polished bronze mirror
Brooches
Coins by Ian Meadows
Nails
Charcoal by Dana Challinor
Samples from cremation burials and related deposits
Samples from contemporary non-funerary features near the cemetery
Conclusion
Metalworking debris by Andy Chapman
Charred plant macrofossils and other remains
Conclusion
Sample composition
Samples from contemporary non-funerary features near the cemetery
Samples from cremation burials and related deposits by Val Fryer
Faunal remains
Animal bone from Roman boundaries, pits and gullies at TWB3
Animal bone from the cremation cemetery at Site M1A by Laszlo Lichtenstein
Cremated human remains
Colour
Preservation, fragmentation and completeness
Skeletal element representation by Sarah Inskip
Conclusion
Demography
Pathology
An inhumation burial, M1A[4250] by Sarah Inskip
Radiocarbon determinations
Regional landscape context and discussion
Previous archaeological works and associated sites
Contemporary activity
Aerial photographic evidence
The late Iron Age and Roman funerary evidence
Other late Iron Age and Roman features
Chapter 5. Iron Age/Roman funerary sites in the valley of the Ouzel Brook
Summary of the funerary chronology
A middle-late Iron Age inhumation from Site Q
A late Iron Age/early Roman urned cremation burial cemetery at Site F
A late Iron Age/early Roman pyre site and unurned cremations at Site H
Early Roman cremation burials and inhumations at Site Q
A charnel burial pit of the late 4th to 5th centuries AD at Site F
Specialist studies
Late Iron Age/early Roman pottery from cremation burials by Phil Mills
The pottery from the Site F cremation cemetery
Iron discs by Tora Hylton
Charcoal
Character and composition
Urned burials from Site F by Dana Challinor
Unurned burials and busta from Site H
Charred plant macrofossils and other remains
Burial deposits from Site Q
Cremation burial deposits from Site F
Cremation burial deposits from Site H by Val Fryer
Faunal remains
Faunal deposits associated with the funerary remains at Site F by Rebecca Gordon
Faunal deposits associated with the cremated remains at Site H
Human remains
Nature of the sample by Chris Chinnock
Disarticulated early Iron Age remains
Late Iron Age/early Roman inhumations
Preservation and completeness of inhumations
Disarticulated late 4th- to 5th-century remains
Discussion
Radiocarbon determinations
Regional landscape context and discussion
Previous archaeological works and associated sites
Funerary sites nearby
Disarticulated remains in Iron Age contexts
Late Iron Age/early Roman human remains
The Aylesford–Swarling culture and the Catuvellauni
Analysing the burial sites
Chronology of burials
Comparison sites for burial layout
Layout of Iron Age/early Roman burials within the excavated areas
Types of burials encountered
Pottery within graves
Treatment of cremated bone and pyre debris
Ritual modification of vessels
Other grave goods
Faunal remains in association with funerary deposits
Middle–late Iron Age inhumation
Review of project objectives
Chapter 6. Late Iron Age/Roman trackways, boundaries and enclosures
Summary of the late Iron Age/Roman chronology
Feature summary
1st century BC to mid 1st century AD (pre-Roman)
Late 1st century AD until c.AD120 (Roman)
Trackways and enclosures at Site H
The ditched boundaries and funerary landscape at Site H
Pre-Conquest period, late Iron Age boundary ditches
The trackway from the east and flanking enclosures
Other boundaries
Possible waterhole
Small enclosures to the north
The trackway from the north-east
Features in the vicinity of the northern enclosures
A horse burial
Pre-Conquest period, late Iron Age funerary enclosure
Post-Conquest period, early Roman reorganisation
An enclosure ditch with an internal bank
Wells within the enclosure
Contemporary boundaries
Pits associated with the enclosure
Boundaries and enclosures at Site Q
Late Iron Age settlement
A probable sub-rectangular enclosure
Other boundary ditches
Scattered features in the vicinity of the enclosure
A probable late Iron Age enclosure and linear boundary
An isolated roundhouse
An enclosure, mid 1st-century AD
The entrance
A boundary, late 1st to early 2nd centuries AD
Further enclosure boundaries extending to the south
Four-post structures at Site F
Boundary ditches at Site P
Features either side of a field entrance
Other undated ditches nearby
Boundary ditches and pits at Site J
Specialist studies
Querns by Andy Chapman
Site H
Site Q
Roman floor tile/brick by Pat Chapman
Fired clay by Pat Chapman
Late Iron Age pottery from Site Q
Site chronology by Andy Chapman and Phil Mills
Diagnostic feature groups
Catalogue of illustrated late Iron Age pottery (Fig 6.26)
Transitional wares and early Roman pottery
Site H by Phil Mills
Site Q
Land to the north of Ouzel Brook, Site J
Pottery supply in the valley of the Ouzel Brook
Pottery classifications
Burning
Function and fineware
Cross-joining sherds
Catalogue of notable forms with published parallels
Catalogue of illustrated pottery (Figs 6.37 – 6.43)
Registered late Iron Age/Roman finds
Household items
Nails
Personal possessions by Tora Hylton
Charred plant macrofossils and other remains by Val Fryer
Metalworking debris by Andy Chapman
Faunal remains
The animal bone from Site H by Rebecca Gordon
The animal bone from Site Q
Oyster shells by Jim Brown
Molluscs by Val Fryer
Radiocarbon determinations
Regional landscape context and discussion
Previous archaeological works and associated sites
Areas of probable settlement
Other sites and monuments
Late Iron Age to middle Roman (c.AD 0–2nd century AD)
Location of the late Iron Age/early Roman settlements
The nature of settlement
Trackways
Buildings
Economy
Craft/industry
Farming
Animal burials and ritual deposits
Review of project objectives
Chapter 7. Saxon funerary remains, pits, cultivation soils and medieval settlement
Summary of Saxon and medieval settlement and funerary remains
Saxon inhumation cemetery at Site H
Burial catalogue
Human remains
Non-metric traits
Palaeopathology by Chris Chinnock
Osteological discussion
Saxon grave goods from inhumation burials
Knives
Spearhead by Tora Hylton
Buckles/plates
Workbox
Mineralised fabric analysis
Analysis
Brooches with mineralised fabric by Sue Harrington
Discussion
Charred plant macrofossils and other remains by Val Fryer
Discussion
Medieval settlement at Site Q
Saxo-Norman boundary ditches
An entrance into a small enclosure
Pits and postholes
Early 12th-century development
A timber-framed building
Features north-east of the building
Features south of the building
The western boundary ditch
A triangular plot
Plot boundaries to the south-east
Features within the plots
The mid 12th century onwards
Post-medieval boundaries
Medieval activity at Site G
Ditches and pits at Site G
Medieval settlement at Site F
Saxon boundaries and pits
Pits containing solely early/middle Saxon pottery
Features containing solely late Saxon finds
Possible Saxon to early medieval cultivation soils
Saxo-Norman boundaries and possible structures
Initial Saxo-Norman boundaries
Possible Saxo-Norman structures
Saxo-Norman pits and postholes, and undated features in close proximity
Medieval occupation, structures and enclosures
Enclosures and possible structures of the early 12th century
Boundary alterations and activity after the mid 12th century
Late medieval clearance and levelling
A natural sinkhole
Post-medieval features
Specialist studies
Querns by Andy Chapman
Roof tile
Site F
Site Q by Pat Chapman
Daub by Pat Chapman
Floor tile by Pat Chapman
Chalk mortar by Pat Chapman
Saxon, medieval and later pottery
Site Q by Paul Blinkhorn
Site F
Site G
Catalogue of illustrated Saxon and medieval pottery (Figs 7.55-57, 7.60 and 7.62)
Registered Saxon finds
Chalton handled comb by Tora Hylton and Ian Riddler
Textile working tools
Registered early medieval finds
Site Q by Tora Hylton
Site F
Site G
Charred plant macrofossils and other remains
Site Q by Val Fryer
Site F
Metalworking debris by Andy Chapman
Faunal remains
Site Q by Rebecca Gordon
Site F
Molluscs by Val Fryer
Oyster shells by Jim Brown
Radiocarbon determinations
Regional landscape context and discussion
Previous archaeological works and associated sites
From post-Roman to Saxon
Localised changes in the medieval period
Evidence from maps and aerial photographs
The medieval open fields
The 12th-century buildings
Review of project objectives
Late Saxon and medieval
Middle Saxon
Post-medieval and modern
Chapter 8. A late medieval potters’ waste dump near Nuppings Green, north of Toddington
Summary of the medieval and post-medieval chronology
Variations in methodology
Medieval potters’ working area at Site M1C
A potters’ water cistern
A pot bank
Medieval ditches at Site M1B
Post-medieval buildings and a cob wall at Site M1C
Building 1, 15th-17th centuries
Cob wall, 15th–19th centuries
Building 2, 18th–19th centuries
Agricultural evidence
Specialist studies
Brick by Pat Chapman
Fired clay by Pat Chapman
Medieval pottery
Kiln waste
Non-kiln material by Paul Blinkhorn
Chronological summary
Typology
The assemblage in its regional context
Catalogue of illustrated Hertfordshire-type greyware from Site M1C (Figs 8.10, 8.14-8.16)
Roof tile by Pat Chapman
Charred plant macrofossils and other remains by Val Fryer
Registered medieval finds by Tora Hylton
Faunal remains by Laszlo Lichtenstein
Regional landscape context and discussion
Previous archaeological works and associated sites
The documentary evidence
Aerial photographs
Historic maps
Discussion of the excavated remains
Post-medieval buildings
The medieval potters’ working area
Review of project objectives
Bibliography
Manuscript sources and aerial photographic references
Bedfordshire Archives and Records Service
National Monument Record, Swindon
Ordnance Survey maps
