Northampton in West Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Where Northampton Began
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 25, 2026
1. Where Northampton Began Marker
The first people to visit the Northampton area were hunter-gatherers during the late Mesolithic period (also called the 'Middle Stone Age', around 6000 to 4000 BC). They used the land near the River Nene for food and left behind small flint tools, which were found by archaeologists during excavations at Chalk Lane, St Peter's Church and Briar Hill, and during quarrying at Duston.
After 4000 BC the first farmers of the Neolithic period (also called the 'New Stone Age') built a large ditched enclosure on the hillside at Briar Hill, probably used for seasonal gatherings, where they left behind flint tools and pottery.
From around 2500 BC, during the 'Bronze Age', more people were arriving, bringing with them the secrets of metalworking, using copper, bronze and gold. They are known as the 'Beaker People' because they produced fine highly decorated pots, often found with burials. Parts of Beaker pots were found at Chalk Lane as well as other areas within Northampton such as
this page online
Around 750 BC, local people were working with iron, and by 550 BC they had built an impressive hillfort on Hunsbury Hill. This acted as a main centre for the local tribe, with numerous small settlements around the Northampton area and along the Nene Valley.
Much of the interior of the hillfort was dug out for ironstone in the late 19th century. Pottery and iron, bronze and bone tools, and over 100 stone rotary querns were found and given to Northampton Museum.
Definition: What is a 'hillfort'? A settlement, often enclosed by ditches and wooden walls, to defend against attacks.
Definition: What is a 'Rotary Quern? An ancient hand mill, used for grinding wheat/grain into flour.
The nearest Roman small town was at Duston, where Roman pottery and coins have been discovered. Marefair may have been part of a small Roman road that travelled east from Duston along the Nene Valley, all the way to the walled Roman town of Irchester and beyond.
Image: Coin found during excavation works at Northampton Railway Station (Marker Number 1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list:
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 25, 2026
2. Site of Northampton Castle
Location. 52° 14.273′ N, 0° 54.231′ W. Marker is in Northampton, England, in West Northamptonshire. It is on Chalk Lane. The marker is by the Chalk Lane car park, just south of Northampton Castle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 Chalk Lane, Northampton, England NN1 2RW, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Anglo-Saxon Northampton (a few steps from this marker); Earl of Northampton (a few steps from this marker); The Story of Simon de Senlis (a few steps from this marker); The Castle (a few steps from this marker); Birth Of Radar Memorial (approx. 11 kilometers away).
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
