Reports on excavations by Northamtonshire Archaeology (now MOLA) in the south-east Midlands region; Nineteen sites were investigated, dating primarily to the Iron Age, Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods

A total area of 3.1ha, taking in much of a settlement largely of the earlier Middle Iron Age, was excavated in 1998 in advance of development. The Iron Age settlement comprised several groups of roundhouse ring ditches and associated small enclosures forming an open settlement set alongside a linear boundary ditch.

"Information about the nature and extent of archaeological investigations carried out in England," compiled and abstracted from journals, reviews, annual reports, grant reports, and archaeologists' summaries of current work, many otherwise unpublished or intended for limited circulation.

"The construction of the new A43 dual carriageway between Towcester and the M40 motorway provided a transect across a block of midland upland landscape that had previously seen little archaeological fieldwork. The results show that in the Iron Age and Roman periods the clay uplands were as intensively settled as the better known Nene Valley and ironstone areas, although on the dry limestone uplands of north Oxfordshire settlement was sparser." "Three pit alignments were investigated and it is suggested that these boundaries were the immediate precursors to Iron Age settlement. Several settlements from the Middle Iron Age to the early Roman periods were examined. Of particular interest were three Middle Iron Age settlements near Silverstone, within 500 m of each other and of differing forms, which may have performed distinct roles within the agricultural economy. A group of five infant burials was discovered at one of these sites." "Iron smelting furnaces were discovered at another Iron Age settlement and evidence of iron smelting in the early Roman period was found nearby. Towards Brackley another early Roman settlement contained pottery kilns." "The opportunity is also taken to present the results of a magnetometer survey at Tusmore Deserted Medieval Village (Oxfordshire) which indicated that it overlay a Roman settlement." --Book Jacket.

Important evidence for occupation spanning the late 1st century (Early Roman) to the 9th century (Middle Saxon) was found by CAM ARC (now Oxford Archaeology East) in 2002. The initial phase of a Roman farmstead consisted of fragmentary evidence for a ditched field system and livestock enclosures, the layout being altered throughout the Roman period. Barns, trackways, wells and rubbish dumps were also evident, with environmental and artefactual evidence pointing to a predominantly pastoral economy. Both pottery and metalwork imply continuity of settlement at the site from the Roman to the Anglo-Saxon periods. Early Saxon activity of the 5th-6th centuries is attested by seven sunken-featured buildings, a possible hall, ovens, pits and a contracted (or 'crouched') burial. Most of the buildings were deliberately set around a rectangular space, perhaps representing an extended family grouping within a much larger settlement. After a possible hiatus, the site was again used in the Middle Saxon period. The field boundary ditches were replaced by a large enclosure containing a post-hole building and another oven. Metalwork and associated debris in the backfill of an earlier building and nearby pit attest to ferrous working, possibly including steel production, and the gathering of scrap metal for recycling. The site evidently formed part of a Middle Saxon settlement such as a large village, engaged in craft activities and perhaps providing a local market. Its eventual abandonment was probably a result of the defeat of King Edmund at Thetford in 869 and subsequent settlement changes under Danish occupancy.

Excavations near Guiting Power in the Cotswolds reveal evidence of occupation until the late 4th century AD: a relatively undefended middle Iron Age farmstead was abandoned, followed by a mid to later Iron Age ditched enclosure. This latter site perhaps became dilapidated, with a Romanised farmstead developing over the traditional habitation area.

MOLA undertook archaeological excavations at Brackmills, Northampton, investigating part of a large Iron Age settlement and Roman complex farmstead. The remains were very well preserved having, in places, been shielded from later truncaton by colluvial deposits. Earlier remains included a late Bronze Age/early Iron Age pit alignment.