ENN105358 - Cherry Orchard school, 2010 (Trial trench)

An archaeological field evaluation by trial trenching was undertaken on land at the former Cherry Orchard Middle School, Weston Favell, Northampton.( SP 7847 6233) by the University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) between 30th November 2010 and 21st December 2010. Positive results were recorded in five of the excavated trenches mostly confirming the geophysical anomalies as well as recording features not previously located. Trenches in the northern area of the site targeted a feature that proved to be modern in origin. However Early Roman features dating to the mid to late first century AD were revealed in Trench 2 that are likely to be cotemporary with a pottery kiln that found close by the 1950s. In the central part of the site, further Roman activity was recorded in Trenches 4, 9, 8 and 9 including ditches, pits and postholes that dated slightly later, to the early-mid second century AD. Also an earlier gully was found in Trench 9 that could be Late Iron Age in origin. Small scale quarrying was also recorded in this area, some of which may be early in date. To the southern and eastern areas of the site extensive quarrying was recorded that has removed any potential further archaeological deposits to remain present within these areas of the site. Information from OASIS Online Form.