ENN108046 - Monksmoor Farm,Northern Extension 2014 (Trial trench)

MOLA was commissioned by AECOM to conduct a trial trench evaluation on the northern part of land set aside for proposed residential development at Monksmoor Farm, Daventry. Work undertaken between 2005 and 2006 had an Iron Age settlement comprising roundhouses. The current phase of work included trenches which targeted two areas of archaeological interest to the north and east of the Iron Age settlement. The features comprised a rectangular enclosure, within which were a ring ditch and a pit, of probable Iron Age date. Fragmentary remains of ditches and postholes suggest outfield boundaries associated with occupation. A small pottery assemblage suggests a late Iron Age/early Roman date (early-mid 1st century AD). There was also extensive evidence of medieval ridge and furrow and later deep ploughing across the site and evidence of post-medieval and modern field boundaries, drains and modern dumping associated with the now demolished farm. There was also a possible palaeo-channel adjacent to the eastern boundary of the site. Site code: MFD14