Monument record MLI127770 - Iron Age to Roman Settlement with Palaeochannel, Skillington

Summary

An area of Iron Age to Roman settlement activity comprising ditches, pits, and enclosures. Identified in geophysical survey and trial trenching, likely focused around a palaeochannel.

Type and Period (6)

  • (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)
  • (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)
  • (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)
  • (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)
  • ? (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)
  • (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

Part of a settlement of probable Iron Age to Roman date was recorded in geophysical survey {1} and trial trenching {2}{3} in 2017 at Skillington, Colsterworth, in advance of a proposed quarry. The geophysical survey covered more of the site than the trial trenching, with the most archaeologically dense area excluded from trenching. Finds identified during excavation spanned both the Iron Age and Roman periods, with the full extent of the enclosures and associated features visible in the geophysical survey results also suggesting some continuity of settlement. Both typically Iron Age narrow-ditched subdivisions, and more definitively Roman enclosures are represented. It was considered likely that the concentration of archaeological features in the north and northeast portions of site relates to the presence of a palaechannel. The former river or stream is assumed to be contemporary with the settlement activity due to the alignment of enclosures and the trackway. An area of possible quarrying was also identified, but was not conclusively archaeological; a geological or natural origin could not be discounted. A relatively small number of finds was recorded, abraded pottery and degraded animal bone, along with quernstones. This may be due to the subsequent activity on the site itself including extensive medieval and modern ploughing. Much of the material recovered was residual.

Sources/Archives (3)

  •  Report: Pre-Construct Geophysics. 2017. Archaeological Geophysical Survey, Proposed Skillington Quarry. -.
  •  Report: PCAS Archaeology Ltd. 2017. Skillington, Lincolnshire, Archaeological Evaluation Final Report. PCAS Site Code SQLE17.
  •  Archive: PCAS Archaeology Ltd. 2017. Skillington, Lincolnshire, Archaeological Evaluation Final Report. LCNCC 2017.147.

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SK 9045 2390 (774m by 616m)
Civil Parish COLSTERWORTH, SOUTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

External Links (0)

Record last edited

Aug 13 2025 2:39PM

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