Monument record MLI127280 - Late Iron Age to Roman Enclosure System at Ludborough Road, North Thoresby
Summary
A system of enclosures identified in geophysics and later excavated was found to be of broad Late Iron Age to Roman date, with 1st to 3rd century pottery recorded along with a fragment of a quernstone and animal bones. A burial was also recorded, but was left in situ.
Type and Period (6)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
An area of rectilinear enclosures and ditches were investigated in trial trenching in 2019, after being identified in geophysics in advance of a proposed residential development. While some 1st century material was recorded including a native tradition cooking pot, the majority of the material returned was of 3rd century date. A small quantity of CBM was recovered, but was not considered diagnostic. Pottery sherds included Nene Valley ware and greyware. A burial in a somewhat flexed position was identified but left in situ. Based on the form of the enclosures, environmental samples, and the presence of animal bone, it is considered likely the remains represent smallscale pastoral agriculture on the site. There is another area of ditches and enclosures to the southwest (MLI127282) which is of the same Late Iron Age to 3rd century date, but the relationship between the two areas is unclear. {1}{2}
A strip, map and sample was undertaken in 2025 following the results of the evaluation. A series of pits were revealed at the excavation area. Three linear ditches were revealed. A north-south running ditch ran through the north side of the northernmost ditch. The central ditch terminated just west of the original evaluation trench. A rectangular feature was identified that cut through the southernmost ditch, which has been identified as a possible grave, though no remains were identified. The burial identified in the previous evaluation was also excavated and further information of the burial was uncovered. The burial was resting of it's left side, with the skull facing southwest. It was in a flexed position with the right leg laid over the left, both slightly bent, and the left hand resting below the skull. The toes, left foot, fingertips, left scapula and the left mandible were missing. The individual is thought to have been a female aged around 60 years old. Evidence of osteoarthritis in the back and pelvis was found. A small piece of worked bone approximately 50mm in length with indents carved into the top was recovered near to the head.{3}{4}
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SLI18398 Report: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2019. Report on Archaeological Evaluation at Land off Ludborough Road, North Thoresby. AAL Site Code NTLR18.
- <2> SLI18399 Archive: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2019. Archived Report on Archaeological Evaluation at Land off Ludborough Road, North Thoresby. LCNCC 2019.122.
- <3> SLI19182 Report: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2025. Archaeological Strip Map and Record, Ludborough Road, North Thoresby. AAL Site Code: NTLH25.
- <4> SLI19184 Archive: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2025. Archaeological Strip Map and Record, Ludborough Road, North Thoresby. LCNCC: 2025.98.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 2894 9829 (151m by 90m) Estimated from Sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | NORTH THORESBY, EAST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (3)
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Dec 2 2025 12:41PM
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