Information for record number MWA4142:
Linear features examined near Cawston contained Iron Age material

Summary The site of several linear features which investigation has shown form enclosures of an Iron Age date.
What Is It?  
Type: Linear Feature, Rectilinear Enclosure, Round House (Domestic), Trackway
Period: Early Iron Age - Romano-British (800 BC - 299 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  

2 Undated linear crop marks show on aerial photographs, possibly forming part of a large triangular enclosure.
3 A geophysical survey undertaken in 1993 (area M) covering part of the cropmark complex located the linear features interpreted as ridge and furrow cultivation remains. A linear anomaly possibly corresponding with the linear cropmark to the south of the complex and a number of pit like anomalies were also located. None of the other features visible on APs were found.
4 In 1994 two evaluation trenches were excavated over this cropmark to ascertain the nature of any archaeological features. Two linear features representing the remains of ridge and furrow were located. It is suggested that the features responsible for the cropmarks and geophysical responses have been destroyed by ridge and furrow cultivation and later agricultural practice.
5 Evaluation trenches were excavated across the site (SP47307370). A series of ditches and gullies were encountered which mostly matched, or were close to, features identified in the geophysical survey. Struck flint fragments and Iron Age material dating from the first century AD were found within the features.
6 Excavations in 2013 revealed a large sub rectangular enclosure of Iron Age date. Within the enclosure was a roundhouse and an addition enclosure. Further enclosures were also present and the site appears to have been remodelled in the 1st century AD with the addition of a series of larger enclosures and a trackway. The site appears to have been abandoned by the 2nd century AD.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title:
Author/originator: J Pickering
Date: 1962
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: SP4489 C/D/E/X
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Evaluation Report
Title: Cawston Grange, Cawston, Rugby Archaeological Evaluation report
Author/originator: King R
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: report 94173
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Geophysical Survey Report
Title: Cawston Grange: Geophysical Survey Report - Cawston II
Author/originator: D Shiel
Date: 1993
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 93/51
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMA (West Midlands Archaeology) vol 43
Author/originator: CBA West Midlands
Date: 2000
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Serial
Title: West Midlands Archaeology Vol 56
Author/originator: CBA West Midlands
Date: 2014
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: No 56
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Verbal communication
Title: R.C.Hingley personal comment
Author/originator: Hingley R C
Date: 1989
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source WMA West Midlands Archaeology. This publication contains a short description for each of the sites where archaeological work has taken place in the previous year. It covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. Some of these descriptions include photographs, plans and drawings of the sites and/or the finds that have been discovered. The publication is produced by the Council For British Archaeology (CBA) West Midlands and is published annually. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique Geophysical Survey The measuring and recording of electrical resistivity or magnetism in order to determine the existence and outline of buried features such as walls and ditches. Geophysical techniques include resistivity survey, magnetometer survey and ground penetrating radar. View Image back
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 GRANGE * An outlying farm or estate, usually belonging to a religious order or feudal lord. Specifically related to core buildings and structures associated with monastic land holding. Use specific term where known. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURE * Use only for features assumed to be archaeological but which cannot be identified more precisely without further investigation .Use more specific term where known back
monument RECTILINEAR ENCLOSURE * A monument consisting of an area of land enclosed by a ditch, bank, wall, palisade or similar barrier, where the barrier consists of several straight or near straight sections. back
monument RIDGE AND FURROW * A series of long, raised ridges separated by ditches used to prepare the ground for arable cultivation. This was a technique, characteristic of the medieval period. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument RECTANGULAR ENCLOSURE * A rectangular shaped area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or similar barrier. back
monument PIT * A hole or cavity in the ground, either natural or the result of excavation. Use more specific type where known. back
monument LINEAR FEATURE * A length of straight, curved or angled earthwork or cropmark of uncertain date or function. 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 TRENCH * An excavation used as a means of concealment, protection or both. 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