Information for record number MWA12490:
Iron Age Trackway and Enclosure, Bilton High School, Dunchurch

Summary A trackway and enclosure, first seen on aerial photographs, was investigated as part of an archaeological evaluation; Iron Age pottery was recovered from the dithes of the features, suggesting occupation in the later part of the first millennium BC.
What Is It?  
Type: Trackway, Enclosure, Curvilinear Enclosure
Period: Iron Age (800 BC - 42 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Dunchurch
District: Rugby, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 47 73
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 An enclosure, trackway and a potential semi-circular feature are evident on aerial photographs.
2 These features were investigated during evaluation ahead of construction of a football pitch at Bilton High School. Excavation of the ditches which defined the trackway and enclosure yielded Iron Age pottery suggesting occupation in the later part of the first millennium BC. The interior of the enclosure appeared 'empty' implying that the enclosure may not be domestic. It is suggested that this represents a stock corralling enclosure located on the edge of the trackway. The apparent entrance to the pennanular ditched cropmark is to the north-west, diametrically opposite for other round-houses in this region, and is also of larger size, being 14m in diameter.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title: SP4874
Author/originator: Jim Pickering
Date: 05/07 /1976
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Evaluation Report
Title: Archaeological Evaluation at Bilton High School, Lawford Lane, Dunchurch
Author/originator: S C Palmer
Date: 2007
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique Cropmark Cropmarks appear as light and dark marks in growing and ripening crops. These marks relate to differences in the soil below. For example, parched lines of grass may indicate stone walls. Crops that grow over stone features often ripen more quickly and are shorter than the surrounding crop. This is because there is less moisture in the soil where the wall lies.

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technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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technique Aerial Photograph Aerial photographs are taken during an aerial survey, which involves looking at the ground from above. It is usually easier to see cropmarks and earthworks when they are viewed from above. Aerial photographs help archaeologists to record what they see and to identify new sites. There are two kinds of aerial photographs; oblique and vertical. back
period Iron Age About 800 BC to 43 AD

The Iron Age comes after the Bronze Age and before the Roman period. It is a time when people developed the skills and knowledge to work and use iron, hence the name ‘Iron Age’ which is given to this period. Iron is a much tougher and more durable metal than bronze but it also requires more skill to make objects from it. People continued to use bronze during this period.
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monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SCHOOL * An establishment in which people, usually children, are taught. back
monument CURVILINEAR ENCLOSURE * A monument consisting of an area of land enclosed by a ditch, bank, wall, palisade or similar barrier, where the boundary follows an irregular curving course. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument FOOTBALL PITCH * A prepared area of grass on which the game of football is played. back
monument ENCLOSURE * An area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or other similar barrier. Use specific type where known. back
monument DITCH * A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year. back
monument ROUND * A small, Iron Age/Romano-British enclosed settlement found in South West England. back
monument TRACKWAY * A pathway, not necessarily designed as such, beaten down by the feet of travellers. back
monument DOMESTIC * This is the top term for the class. See DOMESTIC Class List for narrow terms. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record