More information : (SP 68385990) Roman Building (GS) (Site of) (1)
Near the Red Lion inn SW of Harpole village, in a field adjoining the Weedon - Northampton road on the north, a "villa" was detected in 1846. In 1849 a mosaic was found, with a geometrical design in red, white, buff and black, which may have measured 12' by 18' when perfect. The site was not explored beyond the mosaic, but tesserae of other pavements, tiles, bricks and sherds were noticed (a-c). (2)
Rescue excavation before road widening at SP 684599 in 1966 revealed a stone cistern 12' by 24' c 40' E of the villa; a metalled surface on the N side contained two cleft ox skulls, each accompanied by a pair of hooves. A 4th century structure overlay robbed 2nd century walls. (3)
A scatter of RB occ. debris can be seen at the published site which is now under plough. The material found during the rescue excavation in 1966 is in the possession of Mrs G Brown who has yet to publish a paper. (4)
NH 61 Listed as the site of a Roman villa. (5) |