A Romano-British Settlement and Cemetery at Higham Road, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire

This is a report on Albion Archaeology’s investigations into a Romano-British settlement at the site of a new housing development in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, by David Wilson Homes (South Midlands). As well as revealing the remains of an extensive rural settlement, the excavation also identified forty-seven graves from the same period - an unusually large number for a rural community. Thirty of the graves were contained within a cemetery, with two separate clusters accounting for most of the remainder. Two of the people had been decapitated, while nine were buried face-down. One of the burials was a woman of possible African heritage.

The settlement was founded in the late 1st century AD and continued throughout the Roman period, with up to eight building tentatively identified. The plant remains and animal bones point towards a mixed farming regime, with evidence for craft activities as well. The small number of personal items may suggest a lack of “wealth” or high “status”, but the presence of late Roman glassware and part of a copper-alloy figurine counterbalances this. More than 300 coins were found as well, including a hoard of at least 100 that were found historically, while a small number of finds with military associations offer further indications of links beyond the immediate community.

With support from the developer, the Albion Archaeology team was able to offer site tours to local residents and schoolchildren, and visit the town’s two primary schools. This component of the project is described in an appendix to this report.

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