Harpole: The landscape of a Roman villaat Panattoni Park, Northamptonshire

Excavations at Panattoni Park, Harpole, have uncovered part of a Roman villa and evidence for preceding prehistoric and early Roman settlement, including a Mesolithic flint-knapping site, a pit alignment, a middle Iron Age settlement, an enclosure complex, and a temple-mausoleum. A small hoard of mowers tools and pollen from a spring channel indicating the presence of a walnut grove are also notable finds.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Oxford Archaeology

Excavations at Panattoni Park, located in Harpole, within the Nene Valley west of Northampton, have unearthed significant remnants of a Roman villa and evidence of preceding prehistoric and early Roman settlements. The earliest evidence discovered during the excavations was a Mesolithic flint-knapping site, indicating human activity in the area from prehistoric times.

As the Iron Age progressed, a pit alignment was constructed along the valley side, suggesting the presence of a settlement. A middle Iron Age settlement of at least seven roundhouses was found approximately 450 meters to the east of the pit alignment. It is believed that both the boundary and the settlement were associated with cattle grazing on the valley floor, and the settlement may have been seasonally occupied.

During the late Iron Age, an enclosure complex was built against the pit alignment and remained occupied until around AD 50/70. After a century-long hiatus, a villa was established during the mid-2nd century. The villa was initially discovered in the 1840s when a mosaic was accidentally uncovered. However, it was believed to have been largely destroyed during the widening of the adjacent A4500 road in 1966, when only a small area could be excavated.

The recent excavation, however, has revealed the remarkable survival of part of the main villa complex, including a substantial aisled building that may have formed the southern range. An extensive investigation of the agricultural landscape surrounding the villa was conducted, including areas devoted to malting and an enclosure complex used as a stockyard for processing livestock. A small hoard of mowers tools, possibly belonging to an individual agricultural worker, was also discovered.

In addition to the villa and settlement remains, the excavations also uncovered a building interpreted as a temple-mausoleum of Romano-Celtic form situated beside a spring channel. Pollen from the channel indicated the presence of a walnut grove, further adding to the understanding of the site's historical and ecological significance.

These excavations at Panattoni Park have provided valuable insights into the rich history and cultural heritage of the Nene Valley, shedding light on the development of human settlement and agricultural practices in the region over thousands of years. The discoveries made at the site will continue to contribute to our understanding of the Roman Empire and its interactions with neighboring cultures.

Dimension: 297 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780904220902