Archaeologists discover Roman 'ritual centre' on housing site
An unusual Roman stone building was uncovered at the Northamptonshire siteArchaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old focal point of ritual and religious activity centred around a natural spring.According to experts, the site was in use for more than 2,000 years and both Bronze Age and Roman artefacts have been found.
Simon Markus, from MOLA, said it would have been "a highly significant place for local ancient communities". Archaeologists have been working on the site ahead of new housing development in the village, which is on the north-east outskirts of Northampton. The oldest find at the site was a Bronze Age barrow, a form of ancient burial mound, built around 2,000 BC to 1,500 BC.Mr Markus said: "The fact no human remains were placed within the barrow suggests it may have had a more symbolic rather than functional use."
He added the site may have been used before and "those pre-existing associations led people in the Bronze Age to pick this site for the construction of a ritual monument".
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